Barcelona’s Hamza Abdelkarim emergence eases pressure over Julian Alvarez deal

Barcelona are increasingly prepared to rely on 18-year-old Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim as they consider how to replace Robert Lewandowski, while negotiations over a move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez remain unresolved.

According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has been highly impressed by Abdelkarim during pre-season. The teenager strengthened his case for a place in the first-team squad by scoring both of Barcelona’s goals in a friendly against Birmingham City.

His performance has given the club greater flexibility as it weighs whether to pursue a world-class centre-forward in the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window.

Egyptian teenager makes an impression

Abdelkarim, who has already represented Egypt at a World Cup despite his young age, is regarded as one of the promising prospects Barcelona could use to fill the gap left by Lewandowski. He is being considered alongside new signing Jesse Bisiwou as a potential option in attack.

Flick believes both players can make a contribution if called upon, despite their limited experience. Barcelona already have a varied attacking group that includes Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Ferran Torres, while Dani Olmo can also operate as a false nine.

The club’s confidence in Abdelkarim comes as Barcelona face considerable difficulty finding a direct replacement for Lewandowski. The Poland international is one of the leading goalscorers of the modern era, and players of comparable quality are rarely available in the current transfer market.

Barcelona have made a €100m offer for Alvarez but have yet to receive a response from Atletico Madrid. Instead, the Catalan club has faced public criticism from Atletico through a social media campaign and comments from officials Miguel Angel Gil Marin and Enrique Cerezo.

Those complaints have also been formally documented in a legal claim. This week, Atletico submitted an official complaint against Barcelona to the Royal Spanish Football Federation and world governing body Fifa. Barcelona’s lawyers are reviewing the case as they prepare their legal response, with the matter still under investigation.

Alvarez wants Atletico exit

Alvarez publicly expressed his wish during the World Cup for Atletico to negotiate his departure, saying he believed that would be the best outcome for everyone involved. He also made clear that he felt his time at the Madrid club had ended and that he wanted to fulfil his ambition of playing for Barcelona.

Atletico have rejected the Argentine’s request and continue to refuse to negotiate over a transfer. The situation could become more significant on 10 August, when Alvarez is scheduled to return to training.

People close to the player say he still feels Atletico misled him after promising to discuss a possible departure. That has added further tension to an already complicated dispute.

Barcelona sporting director Deco has contacted other players while exploring solutions to the potential loss of Lewandowski, but the club is continuing to wait for developments in the Alvarez case.

If the Argentina international does not arrive, Barcelona are not expected to rush into signing another striker. Abdelkarim and Bisiwou are viewed as emerging alternatives who could be trusted to provide cover.

Flick believes Barcelona possess an attack capable of competing for every major honour, provided none of their current forwards leave. That belief has allowed the club to approach the search for a centre-forward with a degree of calm while the summer transfer window enters its final stages.