The young Egyptian professional, Hamza Abdel Karim, currently occupies the minds of FC Barcelona officials following the conclusion of the 2026 summer transfer window and the completion of several major deals.
Hamza Abdel Karim joined Barcelona from Al-Ahly last February on loan, before the permanent purchase clause was activated that summer.
The initial plan was for Hamza Abdel Karim to play with Barcelona Atlètic, the reserve team, but he successfully proved himself during the pre-season preparations with the first team under head coach Hans Flick.
Hamza Abdel Karim participated in all of Barcelona's pre-season matches, scoring four goals, which made him the top scorer of that period.
Subsequently, Hamza Abdel Karim was included in Barcelona's squad lists for the matches against Elche and Athletic Bilbao, where he remained on the bench, before making his debut as a substitute in the third match against Rayo Vallecano in the 85th minute.
Coach Hans Flick decided to include Hamza Abdel Karim not only in Barcelona's first-team squad for the current La Liga season but also in their UEFA Champions League roster.
Recent media reports indicate that Barcelona is seeking to amend Hamza Abdel Karim's contract and improve its terms, particularly regarding the release clause.
According to the Spanish newspaper "Sport," although calm has returned to the offices of Barcelona officials, especially sporting director Deco, following the end of the summer transfer market, there is no room for rest. The sporting management has immediately identified a new top priority: modifying the contracts of the most prominent young talents promoted to the first team.
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The report clarified that the players involved are Hamza Abdel Karim, Xavi Espart, and Brian Farinas. Negotiations to extend and improve their contracts began a few weeks ago, and indicators appear positive, with all parties committed to extending their association with the club for many years to come.
It added that Barcelona aims to finalize the procedures for these three players and improve their contracts within the current month, thereby securing the future of players poised to leave a mark on the club's history, while also blocking the path for major European clubs that have already begun showing interest in them.
Regarding Xavi Espart, the report noted that the release clause in his current contract is set at €20 million, a figure established since his time in the youth teams. However, he recently succeeded in proving himself and impressing Hans Flick thanks to his maturity, leading to his assignment of the number 12 shirt in the first team.
Barcelona intends to apply the same policy used with rising stars such as Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, and Marc Bernal, which involves significantly increasing the release clause value, reflecting the club's high level of confidence in him.
Meanwhile, the release clause in Hamza Abdel Karim's contract stands at €15 million, a figure determined when he signed upon joining the youth team from Al-Ahly. However, his market value has surged dramatically following his recent appearances with the first team and the widespread attention he received during the World Cup.
Barcelona's offer includes multiplying the release clause in Hamza Abdel Karim's contract tenfold, raising it to €150 million in the new agreement, as previously indicated. Discussions have already taken place recently, and negotiations are progressing well.
The same applies to Farinas, who currently has a release clause of €20 million in his contract. The club plans to increase this figure following his promotion to the first team, where he was assigned the number 4 shirt. Furthermore, Flick played a pivotal role in preventing his departure to Girona this summer.
