Barcelona has struck a breakthrough agreement with an Egyptian sensation, with his imminent arrival at the Camp Nou.
The 17-year-old prodigy, turning 18 on New Year’s Day to unlock European eligibility, dazzled at the FIFA U-17 World Cup with clinical finishing and physical dominance, earning rave reviews as a classic No.9 target man primed for rapid ascent.
Barça Atletic’s striker crisis—triggered by injuries to Oscar Gistau, Victor Barbera, and Sama Nomoko—has accelerated the pursuit, positioning this gem as an immediate spark rather than a distant project amid Bayern Munich and AC Milan rivalry.
That striker is Hamza Abdelkarim, Al Ahly’s powerhouse right-footed finisher who’s netted 12 goals and six assists for Egypt’s U-17s, including doubles against Haiti and Venezuela at the World Cup.
Barcelona’s youth coaches covet his technical gifts, mental steel, and box-alive instincts, envisioning seamless La Masia fusion with back-to-goal hold-up play and thunderous strikes.
Abdelkarim’s senior debut for Africa’s giants in February underscores his readiness, while his dream move to Camp Nou—voiced directly to Al Ahly—fuels negotiation momentum despite financial friction.
Al Ahly’s €5m demand clashes with Barcelona’s €1.8m ceiling post-loan, a sharp drop from their initial €8m ask (€2m fixed plus €6m add-ons), signaling compromise willingness per AS reports.
The player’s unwavering desire tips the scales, as clubs often yield when prodigies force the issue, mirroring Pedri’s savvy structure with progression variables and sell-on clauses.
Barça’s Al Ahly ties, bolstered by president Mahmoud El Khatib’s summer visit, pave diplomatic paths for a loan-plus-option deal slotting Abdelkarim into Barça Atletic immediately.
Barcelona remains confident that a middle ground will emerge, preserving fiscal discipline on youth gambles.
Abdelkarim’s link-up polish may need refinement, but his goal nose and La Masia fit scream future star.
This Egyptian coup embodies Laporta’s global talent hunt.
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