Barcelona confident an agreement will be reached for 17-year-old’s transfer despite financial differences | OneFootball

Hamza Abdelkarim’s name continues to circle strongly inside Barcelona, where club scouts and youth coaches believe the teenager has the tools to stand out quickly within the academy structure. 

The interest is real and ongoing, driven by the belief that the 17-year-old could offer an immediate spark at the youth level rather than being a long-term project who needs years to adapt.

From Barcelona’s point of view, Abdelkarim fits a very specific profile. He is seen as technically gifted, mentally confident, and capable of handling responsibility at a young age. 

The club’s youth department feels he could integrate smoothly into the system and grow faster than most players his age if given the right environment. 

This is precisely why Barça have remained patient but persistent despite negotiations becoming more complicated than initially expected.

There is still work to do

Despite everything, the major stumbling block remains financial, with reports from AS confirming that Abdelkarim’s current club, Al Ahly, are holding firm on a €5 million valuation. 

Barcelona, meanwhile, are unwilling to stretch beyond €1.8 million following the conclusion of the player’s loan spell. 

The difference between the two figures explains why the deal has yet to move forward.

Hamza Abdelkarim wants to play for Barcelona. (Photo credit: Instagram/@hamzabdelkarim)

Still, there are reasons for optimism because Al Ahly’s current asking price already represents a significant climb-down from their earlier demands. 

At one stage, the Egyptian club were asking for close to €8 million, split between a guaranteed €2 million and €6 million performance-based add-ons. 

Bringing that number down to €5 million suggests that they recognise the difficulty of pushing the price further and are open to continued dialogue.

From Barcelona, they are determined not to abandon their financial principles, especially when it comes to youth signings. 

As such, there is a growing sense of belief that the two teams will eventually reach an agreement regarding the transfer fee.

Perhaps the most decisive factor in the background is the player himself. Abdelkarim is keen on the move and has made it clear that he wants to continue his development in Barcelona. 

That desire is influencing the tone of negotiations, as clubs are often forced to soften their stance when a young player is determined to take the next step in his career.