Foreign media reports have revealed that FC Barcelona has devised a plan to determine the future of Hamza Abdel Karim, a player in the squad.
Hansi Flick, Barcelona's head coach, promoted Hamza Abdel Karim to the first team during preparations for the new season, where he participated in all friendly matches and scored four goals.
The Spanish newspaper Sport reported that Barcelona remains committed to its established plan regarding the young striker Hamza Abdel Karim, given the significant confidence placed in him by the club's management and technical staff led by Hans Flick.
The report indicated that Flick views Abdel Karim as a promising option who can be relied upon as a substitute in the attacking line, while continuing to develop and gradually prepare him to compete for a spot in the first team.
Physical Development
It further clarified that the player has witnessed clear physical development over the recent period, benefiting from his physique and role as an out-and-out striker, alongside undergoing a specialized fitness program that contributed to increasing his strength and developing the muscles of both his upper and lower body.
It added: "Furthermore, his participation with the Egyptian senior national team in the latest World Cup accelerated his maturation process, after he gained playing time in the final minutes of most of the Pharaohs' matches."
According to the report, Barcelona's management believes this experience helped Hamza acquire important expertise, making him more prepared to handle the demands of elite-level football, while simultaneously emphasizing his need to complete certain developmental stages before fully establishing himself with the first team.
Continuing with the Reserve Team
The newspaper continued that Barcelona adheres to its current plan, which involves keeping Hamza Abdel Karim registered with Barcelona Atlètic during the current season.
According to the report, Laporta's management believes that maintaining his registration with the second team provides him an ideal opportunity to retain match sharpness and gain playing minutes when he is not involved with the first team.
Barcelona's management recognizes that there may be periods during the season when Hamza's involvement under Flick decreases; therefore, the possibility of playing for coach Giuliano Belleti's team represents an important option to preserve his development and avoid hindering his career at this age stage.
Contract Renewal
Concurrently, the newspaper confirmed that Barcelona is working on renewing Abdel Karim's contract, given that the player's current status differs significantly from the period when he signed his initial contract with the club while part of the youth team.
The report continued: "Barcelona's management believes the current contract no longer reflects the player's standing and role within the club's structure; therefore, they are moving to improve his salary to align with his new status, alongside significantly increasing the release clause value in his contract."
Sport concluded: "Hamza's current release clause stands at €15 million, a figure Barcelona's management believes could attract interest from foreign clubs, prompting the club to act in order to secure the Egyptian striker's future and retain him within their long-term project."
Hamza Abdel Karim, aged 18, joined Barcelona's youth team last January on loan from Al-Ahly Club, before the purchase option was activated this summer.
