From Spain: Barcelona leading Manchester City and Bayer Munich in race for Egypt U17 wonderkid | OneFootball

Al Ahly and Egypt U17 striker Hamza Abdelkarim has opted to join Barcelona despite interest from Manchester City and other European giants, as per reports from Spain. 

Pep Guardiola’s contract at the Etihad Stadium is due to expire in 2027 yet efforts in strengthening the squad as much as possible before he leaves are still very much underway and it is thought that City will be active in the next two transfer windows.

When Hugo Viana, the Premier League side’s new sporting director and replacement to the long-standing Txiki Begiristain, joined the club, he set out to make solid improvements to a side that finished third in the 2024-25 league campaign – and did so this past summer by signing seven players and spending over £150 million. 

That outlay added to a previous £180 million spent in the January transfer window – wherein City brought in Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis – underpins the backing by executives at the Etihad Stadium of Guardiola, who penned a fresh two-year deal with the club last fall.

City have been linked with making a signing or two in January 2026 to plug further loopholes in their squad as they aim to challenge league leaders Arsenal all the way in the title race, with Guardiola publicly expressing concerns over his side’s over-reliance on Erling Haaland to find the back of the net since the start of the season.

Guardiola’s attacking depth is worryingly narrow and with only Haaland at his disposal as an all-out striker, the general consensus around the club is that more options up top are needed amid strong interest in Bournemouth and Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo.

Al Ahly and Egypt U17 striker Hamza Abdelkarim is of interest to Manchester City, as reported by SPORT and relayed by Sport Witness, but the teenage sensation has opted to head to Barcelona over the likes of Bayern Munich, Lyon, AC Milan and City,

The 17-year-old scored twice at the U17 World Cup in November and supplied a further assist to raise his stock and attract interest from some of Europe’s best clubs. Additionally, the wonderkid has already played two senior games for Al Ahly despite his age.

The Spotify Camp Nou is likely to be the youngster’s next destination as he is very keen on the move himself. However, Al Ahly are hesitant to let him leave at present as they chase the Egyptian Premier League title, sitting third on 23 points – six behind leaders Ceramica Cleopatra – but Barcelona are expected to make a loan offer with an option to buy.

Although City won’t be nearly as active in the January 2026 transfer window as they were in the last two windows, there is still a strong possibility of some new faces being brought to the Etihad Stadium. 

Semenyo has a £65 million release clause that can be triggered next month, though City face stiff competition in the form of Tottenham, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea in the race for the 25-year-old attacker. Real Madrid and Barcelona were equally attracted to the winger but Semenyo is understood to be keen on staying in England.

Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye is also believed to have admirers at the Etihad Stadium but a move for him would likely cost an enormous amount due to his long-running contract and David Moyes’ heavy reliance on the former Sheffield United star.

Whether Abdelkarim changes his stance on his next club is yet to be seen but for now, it looks as though Barcelona are destined to attain the 17-year-old’s signature – be it in January 2026 or next summer.