Barcelona set to discuss Hamza Abdelkarim contract increase with agent

Barcelona are due to meet Hamza Abdelkarim’s representative on Monday to discuss an improved contract for the Egypt Under? No, don’t add Under. Let’s formulate.

Barcelona set to discuss Hamza Abdelkarim contract increase with agent

Barcelona are due to meet Hamza Abdelkarim’s representative on Monday to discuss an improved contract for the Egyptian forward, according to journalist Gerard Romero, who specialises in covering the club.

Christian Emile, Abdelkarim’s agent, is expected at Barcelona’s offices for talks over a renewal. The main objective is to increase the player’s release clause from 15m euros (£12.8m) to 150m euros (£128m).

The club had planned to review the 18-year-old’s deal, but the workload surrounding the final days of the summer transfer window delayed the process. With the window now closed and the situation calmer, Barcelona can turn their attention to securing the teenager’s future.

The proposed release clause would represent a 900% increase. Barcelona are concerned that the existing 15m-euro figure is far below the financial power of leading European clubs, particularly those in England, and could make Abdelkarim an attractive target.

A carefully managed start

Catalan newspaper Sport reported earlier that head coach Hansi Flick deliberately kept Abdelkarim out of Barcelona’s opening matches of the season while the summer transfer window remained open.

The decision was described as non-footballing. Flick and the sporting department, led by Deco, reportedly wanted to avoid exposing the forward’s ability in competitive matches after he impressed during pre-season and potentially drawing the attention of clubs elsewhere in Europe.

Abdelkarim made his first appearance in the third round of La Liga, coming on for the final five minutes against Rayo Vallecano. He had been an unused substitute in Barcelona’s first two league matches.

The forward had made an exceptional start under Flick during preparations for the 2026-27 campaign, scoring four of Barcelona’s 10 pre-season goals. Despite that form, the club were wary of losing him for a relatively modest fee because of the current release clause.

Abdelkarim remains registered with Barcelona’s reserve team but continues to train with the senior squad and could receive more first-team minutes under Flick. He has not trained with the reserves at any point since the start of the summer, having joined the first team at the beginning of pre-season and featured in every preparation match.

Further evidence of his continuing involvement with the senior side came when Barcelona’s reserve team announced their squad for Wednesday’s Catalonia Cup final without including Abdelkarim. The match took place two days after Flick’s side faced Rayo Vallecano, meaning the Egyptian could have been available after playing only five minutes in that game.

His continued absence from the reserve squad suggests Flick remains convinced by his potential, even after Barcelona’s decision to sign Gabriel Jesus.

Speaking to 3Cat after the Rayo Vallecano match, Abdelkarim said: “It is a very exciting feeling to play an official match at Camp Nou, and I want to experience this feeling many times.”

He added: “I was very excited to play in front of so many fans. It is an unbelievable feeling, and I want to live it again and again.”

The former Al Ahly forward said: “I hope to help the team as much as possible and win everything.”

Abdelkarim also praised two of Barcelona’s leading attackers, saying: “Raphinha is a great player. He has natural talent. He is a great person, and we all know that he always gives 100% on the side where he plays.”

He described Lamine Yamal as “a magical player”, adding: “He has two amazing feet, which makes him very enjoyable to watch.”

“Lamine plays for the team and helps us all do what we want to do,” he said.

Barcelona currently lead La Liga with a perfect record, ahead of Real Madrid on goal difference.