FC Barcelona continues to explore the possibility of signing Egyptian teenage striker Hamza Abdelkarim during the upcoming winter transfer window, but the operation now faces significant complications.
The Catalan club wants to reinforce its youth structure by securing one of the most highly rated young forwards in Egyptian football, yet negotiations with Al Ahly remain unresolved.
Abdelkarim, who turns 18 at the beginning of January, has impressed Barcelona’s scouting network in recent months.
Club representatives opened discussions with Al Ahly after closely monitoring the striker’s development, viewing him as a long-term investment rather than an immediate first-team solution.
Barcelona’s sporting department identified him as a potential addition to the reserve side, which has struggled this season due to injuries and a lack of attacking depth.
Barcelona submitted an initial proposal based on a loan deal until the end of the season, including an option to buy.
The Spanish club valued the arrangement as a low-risk pathway to assess the player’s adaptation to European football.
However, Al Ahly rejected the offer outright, showing little interest in temporary solutions for one of their most prized prospects.
Despite speculation suggesting otherwise, sources indicate that Barcelona tabled a €2 million bid. Al Ahly dismissed the figure as inadequate, insisting that Abdelkarim’s market value stands far higher.
The Cairo-based club now demands at least €5 million before opening the door to any transfer talks, reflecting both the player’s age and his growing reputation on the international stage.
Faced with this firm stance, Barcelona requested additional time to reassess its position and consider whether to improve its proposal.
While the club’s hierarchy believes strongly in Abdelkarim’s potential, decision-makers remain cautious about committing such a substantial fee to a player still in the early stages of his development.
From the player’s perspective, the appeal of the Barcelona project remains clear.
Abdelkarim has shown enthusiasm about the prospect of wearing the Blaugrana shirt and continuing his growth within one of Europe’s most renowned football academies.
Nonetheless, his personal preference alone cannot bridge the financial gap between the two clubs.
Interest in Abdelkarim has intensified following his performances at the Under-17 World Cup, where he delivered two goals and one assist across four matches for Egypt.
Those displays elevated his profile and strengthened Al Ahly’s resolve to protect their asset in a market that increasingly values young attacking talent.
For now, discussions remain at a standstill. Barcelona weighs its next move carefully, while Al Ahly holds firm, confident that patience will only increase the value of one of Egypt’s brightest prospects.
