Barcelona already have a clear development plan for 18-year-old academy talent | OneFootball

Barcelona’s youth structure has produced almost every kind of attacking profile imaginable over the years, but right now, there is growing belief that Hamza Abdelkarim offers something they simply do not currently have.

The 18-year-old Egyptian forward only arrived earlier this year, yet he has already managed to leave a strong impression within the sporting department. 

Six goals in his opening ten matches have naturally attracted attention, but it is not only the numbers that have convinced people at the club.

At La Masia, technically gifted attackers are nothing unusual. Hamza, however, is viewed differently. 

Barcelona are impressed

Right now, there is increasing excitement around his ability to operate as a genuine penalty-box reference point, a profile Barça have lacked in their youth structure for years.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hamza Abdelkarim (@hamzabdelkarim)

That is one of the reasons the club already seem fully convinced about their next step.

Barcelona are expected to activate the €3 million purchase option included in the agreement for the striker, with the intention of securing full ownership of one of the academy’s most intriguing young attackers.

Furthermore, the player’s rise has also extended beyond club football, as his performances have now earned him a call-up with Egypt ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

What’s the plan?

The current plan, as per SPORT, is for Abdelkarim to become an important figure for Barça Atlètic during the 2026/27 campaign, especially as the reserve side pushes for promotion back to the First RFEF. 

Hamza Abdelkarim will do the pre-season with the first team. (Photo courtesy: FC Barcelona official website)

Within the club, there is growing expectation that he could form a strong partnership alongside Oscar Gistau, creating healthy competition in the attacking department.

Notably, one thing Hansi Flick has established is that reputation and age mean very little if a player performs well in training.

This is why, for now, the most likely scenario is that the Egyptian youngster joins first-team preseason once his international commitments with Egypt come to an end. 

That would allow Flick to assess him before a final decision is made regarding the upcoming season.