Barcelona have stepped up their interest in highly-rated Al Ahly striker Hamza Abdelkarim, with the Catalan giants submitting a formal proposal to sign the 17-year-old on loan with an option to buy.
According to Fabrizio Romano via his official X handle,Talks between both clubs began as far back as November, but a deal is yet to be finalised as negotiations continue to drag on.
Barcelona have genuine interest in Al Ahly’s talent Hamza Abdelkarim. Initial talks took place in November. Nothing agreed/done at this stage but he’s one of the talents being monitored.
The Spanish club see Abdelkarim as a long-term investment and a potential solution to their current depth issues at reserve-team level. However, Al Ahly remain reluctant to accept the terms on the table, with discussions still ongoing and no agreement reached at this stage.
Softfootball Report that Barcelona have offered a six-month free loan for Abdelkarim to join Barça Atlètic, including a €4 million purchase option structured around a fixed fee and performance-based add-ons. The move would allow the teenager to adapt gradually to European football while remaining under close observation.
Al Ahly, however, are not convinced by the financial package and believe the player’s value could rise significantly. Interest from other European clubs, including Bayern Munich, Sporting Lisbon, and Lyon, has strengthened the Egyptian club’s resolve to push for improved terms.
Sources close to the player indicate that Abdelkarim is eager to complete a move to Barcelona, viewing the club as his dream destination. The young forward is reportedly pressing Al Ahly’s hierarchy to facilitate the transfer, despite the club’s firm negotiating stance.
While talks are described as advanced, nothing has been signed, with the deal potentially revisited in January when Abdelkarim turns 18 and becomes eligible for a smoother move abroad.
Hamza Abdelkarim is regarded as one of the most promising young forwards in African football. A physically dominant centre-forward with strong finishing instincts, he has already featured for Al Ahly’s first team and impressed on the international stage at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
His performances at youth level have placed him firmly on the radar of Europe’s elite, adding pressure on Al Ahly as they weigh sporting value against financial gain.
Barcelona’s interest is partly driven by an injury crisis within Barça Atlètic, where the lack of a natural striker has become increasingly evident. Strengthening the reserve side is seen as crucial as the club looks to maintain competitiveness across all levels.
The move also aligns with Barcelona’s broader project of integrating young talents, especially as the first team prepares for key fixtures, boosted recently by Fermín López and Frenkie de Jong Return to Boost Barcelona Ahead of Betis Showdown and the club’s emotional moment reflected in Barcelona Salutes Legends Busquets and Alba After Emotional Retirement Announcement.
For now, negotiations remain open, with Barcelona hopeful of finding common ground, while Al Ahly continue to play hardball over one of their brightest prospects.
