Barcelona in ‘advanced talks’ to sign attacking prodigy in sublime transfer coup | OneFootball

LaLiga giants Barcelona are reportedly in advanced talks to seal the signing of a top attacking talent described as the next big thing in Egyptian football.

Due to their ongoing financial situation, Barca are not expected to be particularly active in the upcoming January transfer window, but that will not stop them aiming to secure top young talent from across the globe.

To that end, it’s reported that Barcelona are closing in on the signing of Egyptian prodigy Hamza Abdelkarim, an explosive forward dubbed as the next big thing in his homeland.

Egyptian news outlet FilGoal states that the Catalan outfit are in ‘advanced talks’ to bring Abdelkarim on board, in a move that is being viewed as a potential coup for Hansi Flick’s side.

The 17-year-old forward currently plays for Al Ahly and has already featured in four senior matches for one of Egypt’s top clubs.

The report adds that talks between Barcelona and Al Ahly have been ongoing for some time, although the LaLiga side’s initial loan-to-buy proposals were knocked back.

However, FilGoal states that Al Ahly are now happy with the latest Barcelona offer on the table for Abdelkarim, given that it meets their demands for the impressive attacker.

If and when the deal is completed, the plan is for Abdelkarim to be thrown straight into Barcelona’s reserve side, Barca Atletic, who are currently short on attacking options due to injury issues across their forward line.

News is expected on the transfer in the coming days, with the January window officially opening on Thursday.

Fresh doubts have emerged over whether Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford will join Barcelona permanently at the season’s end, sources confirm, despite the forward’s aim to stay at the Camp Nou for years to come.

Elsewhere, Marc Guehi suitors, including Barcelona, have been warned that delaying the signing of the centre-back until the end of the season could ultimately hit them harder in the pocket than ever expected, amid claims the Crystal Palace star’s sky-high demands have seen two major suitors drop from the running and with one top journalist now naming the club the defender is expected to join.

Finally, Barcelona are scrambling for an emergency centre-back signing after a serious injury for Andreas Christensen and reports in Spain have named seven options on their radar, including a former Premier League trio.