Barcelona have moved quickly to secure the future of 18-year-old Egyptian striker Hamza Abdelkarim after he impressed everyone at the club with his early performances in training.
The teenager joined Barça Atlètic on loan from Al Ahly during the winter window as part of a strategic plan to strengthen the reserve team and invest in young attacking talent.
According to Catalan daily “Sport”, Abdelkarim’s quality surprised both the coaching staff and the sporting management from his first sessions, prompting the club to include a special clause that allows them to complete a permanent transfer even if he does not reach a set number of appearances.
Administrative hurdles in registering foreign players could delay his official debut until late March, but there is no doubt inside the club about activating the purchase option.
The deal includes a clause obliging Barcelona to buy him from Al Ahly for 1.5 million euros plus up to 3 million euros in add-ons if he plays more than 45 minutes in six official games, yet Barcelona can trigger it unilaterally regardless of that condition.
The club has also promised Abdelkarim a near-guaranteed place in the first team’s pre-season this summer, with staff and teammates alike said to be amazed by his performances and convinced he can become a major asset for Barcelona’s future.
