Summer exits and Alvarez impasse boost Hamza Abdelkarims Barcelona prospects

Hamza Abdelkarim has been given several reasons to believe he could feature for Barcelona during the new season, with the Egyptian forward’s chances strengthened by changes to the club’s attacking options.

Robert Lewandowski has moved to Major League Soccer, while Ferran Torres has joined Paris Saint-Germain. Barcelona have also not extended Marcus Rashford’s loan or turned it into a permanent transfer.

The uncertainty has been increased by the apparent difficulty of Barcelona’s attempts to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico de Madrid. Atletico are refusing to negotiate with the Catalan club over a deal, despite Alvarez’s determination to move to Spotify Camp Nou.

The player’s desire to join Barcelona, however, does not appear to be enough to make the transfer happen. Atletico’s stance has left the proposed move in serious doubt, and Barcelona sporting director Deco does not appear to have an obvious and direct alternative if the Alvarez deal collapses.

Barcelona have been linked by reports with Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, but those stories appear closer to speculation than evidence of a genuine transfer project. Martinez is regarded as one of the players Inter Milan are unwilling to sell, making a move difficult to envisage.

Against that background, Abdelkarim has emerged as one of the potential beneficiaries of Barcelona’s problems in the centre-forward position. The Egyptian joined the first-team squad during pre-season and Hansi Flick remains keen for him to stay with the group, just days before Barcelona are due to play in the Joan Gamper Trophy.

Flick’s decision follows Abdelkarim’s impressive performances in friendly matches. Those displays have earned him a genuine chance to continue working with the senior side at a time when Barcelona are searching for a solution at centre-forward.

For Abdelkarim, a problem that has created uncertainty for Barcelona could become an exceptional personal opportunity. He has entered Flick’s thinking at an unexpected moment and, with the new campaign approaching, could become one of the German manager’s new options.

It would naturally be difficult to imagine Abdelkarim beginning the season as Barcelona’s leading striker. The position carries considerable responsibility at a club competing for every major trophy. However, the possibility of him being included as a substitute option now appears increasingly realistic.

Flick could turn to Abdelkarim in difficult matches when Barcelona need a recognised centre-forward capable of competing for aerial balls and making effective use of crosses. That profile could give the Egyptian a particular advantage, because no other player in Flick’s squad appears to possess similar qualities in that area.

Barcelona’s inability to secure a ready-made solution in the transfer market may therefore change from a problem for the club into an opening for Abdelkarim. What initially looked like a lack of depth could provide the young Egyptian with a route into the first-team picture as the season gets under way.