Barcelona have reportedly completed the final procedures to sign promising Egyptian striker Hamza Abdelkarim from Al Ahly.
The agreement, according to sources, was finalised on Thursday, January 22.
The official announcement of the deal is expected in the coming days, marking a significant step in the 18-year-old’s young career.
According to Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the agreement is structured as a loan until the end of the 2025–2026 season, with a mandatory or conditional purchase option set at a base value of up to €3 million.
The report added that the overall value of the deal could rise to €5 million through performance-related bonuses, including appearances, goals, or a potential promotion to the first team.
Negotiations were not without difficulty, as Al Ahly reportedly insisted on extending the player’s contract for an additional season before sanctioning his departure.
This condition temporarily stalled the talks and raised doubts over the completion of the move.
However, the newspaper explained that Hamza Abdelkarim’s strong determination to pursue a professional pathway at Barcelona ultimately helped resolve the situation.
The young striker is said to firmly believe in the opportunities available to emerging talents at the club, provided they prove their quality, despite La Masia’s long-standing reputation for producing midfielders and wingers rather than traditional centre-forwards.
Mundo Deportivo noted that the initial verbal agreement was converted into formal contracts in recent days, with the process officially concluded on Thursday.
Abdelkarim is expected to travel to Barcelona soon to undergo medical tests before joining Barcelona Athletic, the club’s reserve side, which is currently dealing with a shortage of attacking options due to injuries.
