Why has Barcelona’s move for Hamza Abdelkarim suddenly gone quiet? | OneFootball

Contract demands derail talks between Barca and Al Ahly

Why has Barcelona’s move for Hamza Abdelkarim suddenly gone quiet?

Barcelona’s planned move for Al Ahly striker Hamza Abdelkarim slowed after contract issues complicated talks.

From done deal to silence

Earlier in January Hamza Abdelkarim’s name was everywhere in Egypt. The young Al Ahly forward known as Barcelona fan was close to joining Barca Atletic during the winter transfer window. Many believed the move was only waiting for paperwork.

Barcelona made official approach and Al Ahly initially accepted the idea of the transfer. The deal shaped as loan , with option to buy at the end of the season as the Catalan club looked to strengthen their reserve team after injuries and attacking departures.

Where the talks broke down

According to SPORT, the main issue came from Al Ahly’s conditions. The Egyptian club asked for three years contract extension before allowing the loan. Without it Abdelkarim would return with just 1 year left on his deal which currently runs until the end of the 2027 season.

Financial terms also played a role. Al Ahly wanted up to €10 million in total including €5 million if the player featured in five matchs plus another €5 million linked to performance bonuses.

The player’s father rejected the idea of renewing the contract fearing it would limit control over his son’s future.. That refusal caused talks to cool down and led to noticeable media silence around the deal.

A clear sign of the slowdown came on the pitch. Abdelkarim returned to domestic action with Al Ahly after being left out during negotiations playing the full match in the League Cup.

SPORT insists Abdelkarim’s recent form is not the real reason behind the delay. Instead Barcelona close to signing Joaquin Delgado.

Still the newspaper notes that the transfer cannot be fully ruled out.