Barcelona move to secure Hamza Abdelkarim amid transfer interest

Barcelona are looking to tie forward Hamza Abdelkarim to a new long-term contract after three clubs made enquiries about signing the youngster, whose current release clause stands at €15m (£13m).

The Catalan club are keen to significantly increase that clause as part of fresh contract negotiations, with reports suggesting Barcelona want it raised to between €150m and €200m to protect one of their highly rated attacking prospects.

Interest in the Egyptian striker has grown in recent weeks, with three clubs making approaches while his existing release clause remains active.

Barcelona, however, are understood to regard the forward as part of their long-term plans and are working to strengthen his contractual position before the transfer window closes.

The player’s immediate future is expected to depend on Barcelona’s business in the remainder of the transfer window, particularly how many attacking players the club bring in before the deadline.

Should Barcelona add several forwards, Abdelkarim’s opportunities with the first team could become more limited, potentially influencing decisions over his role for the season.

If arrivals are fewer than anticipated, the youngster could have a clearer pathway to greater involvement.

Barcelona have increasingly focused on securing their emerging talents with long-term contracts featuring substantial release clauses, a strategy designed to deter interest from rival clubs while safeguarding the club’s most promising academy graduates.

For now, Abdelkarim remains a Barcelona player, but with outside interest growing and contract talks under way, his future is likely to remain one of the club’s key stories as the transfer window unfolds.