Al Ahly forward agrees 3.5-year deal with Barcelona as the Catalan giants edge closer to landing the talented attacker.
The deal comes after weeks of intense negotiations, with the player decisively turning down advances from Bayern Munich and AC Milan, who had also entered the race for his signature.
This move underscores Barcelona’s aggressive youth recruitment strategy amid financial constraints, aiming to bolster their academy and future first-team options.
The player in question is 17-year-old Hamza Abdelkarim, a dynamic centre-forward who has burst onto the scene with Al Ahly’s senior side while dazzling for Egypt’s U-17 national team, as reported by Diario Sport.
Abdelkarim first caught Barcelona’s eye during the recent Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, where his clinical finishing and physicality impressed scouts.
Reports indicate he halted talks with other suitors the moment Barça entered the fray, with his father personally urging Al Ahly to greenlight the departure.
The agreement is structured as a loan to Barça Atletic—Barcelona’s reserve team—with an option to buy, potentially activating from June 2026.
Al Ahly, keen on a financial windfall, pushed for a fixed fee plus add-ons tied to first-team promotion and performance bonuses, mirroring the Pedri deal from Las Palmas.
Barcelona’s latest €2 million improved bid (up from €1.8 million) has swayed the Egyptian club, despite their €4-5 million valuation.
Abdelkarim’s determination to succeed in Europe, coupled with promises of first-team preseason involvement next summer, sealed his commitment.
This signing addresses La Masia’s forward shortage, offering long-term depth behind stars like Robert Lewandowski.
Snubbing Bayern’s youth pipeline and Milan’s attacking ambitions highlights Abdelkarim’s faith in Hansi Flick’s project.
If finalized before year-end, he could debut for Barça Atletic in January, accelerating his Blaugrana journey.
For Al Ahly, it’s a profitable exit for a prodigy ready for the big leagues.
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