FC Barcelona opens contract talks with Hamza Abdelkarim after pre-season fireworks

FC Barcelona has opened contract talks with Hamza Abdelkarim, the 18-year-old Egyptian striker who turned pre-season into a personal audition reel. The club is looking to revise his terms significantly, with reports pointing to a planned increase in his release clause from €15 million to €150 million, a tenfold jump that signals just how seriously Barcelona’s hierarchy is taking this kid. Abdelkarim scored four goals across three pre-season friendlies in August 2026, including one against his former club Al Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy. From Cairo to Camp Nou, at warp speed Abdelkarim only joined Barcelona on a loan deal from Al Ahly in February 2026. Four months later, the club made the move permanent for an initial fee of €1.5 million, with a 15% sell-on clause baked in. Born on January 1, 2008, Abdelkarim is one of the youngest footballers to make a genuine first-team impression at a club of Barcelona’s stature. His current contract runs until June 30, 2029, which means he signed that deal at 17. Before joining Barcelona’s B team, he netted six goals in 11 appearances for the U-19 side following his loan move. He has been training with the first team under head coach Hansi Fli...