Lamine Yamal, who is already in the running for the Ballon d’Or after a breakout season in which he delivered 35 goals and assists from 43 matches, is seen as untouchable by the hierarchy at Barcelona—but the sky-high Saudi offer may put that to the test.
Barcelona teen wonder Lamine Yamal has become the target of a whopping €400 million (£347m) bid from Saudi Arabia, surpassing Manchester City’s reported €275m and potentially breaking the world transfer record.
Fichajes reports that Saudi Pro League executives have now made Yamal their number-one priority after shelling out the astronomical €400m bid as a jaw-dropping attempt at bringing Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior’s star to Saudi Arabia.
All the while, Barcelona’s sporting directors have forthwith rejected the offer, looking upon Yamal as the cornerstone of the Blaugrana’s long-term endeavor.
The club is focusing on an extension contract for the Spain international, whose present contract runs until 2026.
Manchester City had been the serious contender with their €275m bid earlier this week, which would have surpassed Neymar’s £200m PSG switch in 2017.
But even Pep Guardiola’s team cannot match the financial muscle of Saudi Arabia.
The bid presents Yamal with a moral dilemma, having time and again declared his ambition to succeed at Camp Nou.
Although Barcelona’s economic problems are a well-documented affair, selling their brightest academy product would alienate supporters and compromise their sporting vision.
For the time being, Yamal is still committed to Barcelona’s title hunt and Euro 2024 with Spain.
But as Saudi clubs insist on not hearing no, this drama might reconfigure football’s transfer market—and compel Barcelona into an impossible choice between money survival and staying true to their identity.
One thing is certain: Yamal’s future will overshadow headlines throughout the summer.
Want to get the latest Barcelona news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
