Sports
Barcelona Closing In on Egyptian Wonderkid Hamza Abdelkarim
FC Barcelona are known for developing some of the greatest talent in world football, consistently churning out world-class talent from their famed La Masia academy.
From Lionel Messi to Xavi to Lamine Yamal, Barca’s youth setup is the best at molding and developing legends of the sport. The Blaugrana’s current first team boasts a number of academy graduates, who comfortably step into starting roles as teenagers.
But the Catalans are no strangers to splashing cash on top talent as well, and have shown a knack for identifying promising youngsters and bringing them into the fold in hopes that they reach their lofty potential.
Barcelona seem to have identified their next starlet, making a strong push to sign wonderkid Hamza Abdelkarim from Egyptian side Al Ahly.
The 17-year-old forward has only made four appearances for Al Ahly’s first team, but he has shined with Egypt’s youth teams, scoring 12 goals in 17 appearances for his country’s U-17 team.
January Move Still in Limbo
Barcelona’s pursuit of the talented teenager has hit an obstacle, however, as the two sides are struggling to agree on terms for a January transfer.
According to Spanish outlet SPORT, Al Ahly has proposed a loan until June, with an €8 million purchase option, which includes a €2 million guaranteed fee and €6 million in performance-based variables.
Barca hoped to secure Abdelkarim’s services for a fee closer to €4 million, which they feel is a more accurate evaluation of the teenager’s current market value.
Al Ahly are reportedly asking for a 20 percent sell-on clause, which the Spaniards consider excessive, preferring a figure closer to 10 percent.
The player is determined to make the move happen, pushing the club to let him make a dream move to Barcelona. Abdelkarim turns 18 on January 1, and would join Barcelona’s reserve side Barça Atlètic to continue his development at arguably the greatest talent factory in the world.
Barca are currently pondering their options at centre-forward, with Robert Lewandowski’s contract set to expire at the end of the season. The 37-year-old has managed eight goals and two assists in 18 appearances across all competitions so far this campaign, but has seen Ferran Torres overtake him in the starting lineup.
Torres has been great for Barcelona, scoring 13 times in 22 outings, but is unlikely to convince Hansi Flicka and the club board that he is the solution at striker once Lewandowski moves on.
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