There is no hotter debate right now in Can Barça than Lamine Yamal's renewal. The young winger, who is about to turn 18 in July, has stopped being a promise to become the most unbalancing footballer on the team. Joan Laporta knows it, values it... but also puts a stop to it.
From the player's environment, there is a firm desire to stay at Barça, Lamine Yamal only envisions wearing the blaugrana in the coming years. But that doesn't mean he will sign without conditions. His agent, Jorge Mendes, has conveyed a series of demands to the board that have set off all the alarms in the club.
Lamine Yamal in a match with Barça | @FCBarcelona
"We won't repeat Messi's situation"
Joan Laporta is clear about it, although he wants Lamine Yamal to be the flag of the new Barça, he is not willing to make past mistakes. "We will not hand over the keys of the club to a single player again," he has repeated in private. And that means not exceeding certain financial limits.
Yamal's entourage's demands are high. They want him to become the highest-paid player on the squad, even ahead of Lewandowski or De Jong. Barça, however, is not on board.
Balde and Lamine celebrating the first goal of the match | @FCBarcelona
Laporta has set a clear barrier: Lamine Yamal will not earn more than 15 million euros net per season. It is a very high figure, comparable to that of the great stars of world soccer. But far from the 20 or 25 million that some clubs like PSG or Manchester City would be willing to offer him.
Barça will not enter into an economic war. Their plan is to shield Lamine Yamal, yes, but with sensibility. They do not want to jeopardize the club's viability no matter how much the player deserves everything sportingly.
Lamine Yamal in a training session | @FCBarcelona
He will be one of the highest-paid... but without imbalances
With this new contract, the Spanish international will be positioned above players like Gavi, Pedri, Araújo, or Raphinha. His salary will be at the top of the new Barça's pay scale, but without breaking the balance. Joan Laporta is convinced that this is the right path: nurture talent, reward it... but without mortgaging the future.
The financial situation remains delicate. Economic sustainability is the priority, although Lamine is the future of the project, the club needs to keep taking firm steps to return to stability.
Lamine Yamal in a match with Barça | @FCBarcelona
Laporta recently confirmed that the agreement is "very advanced", although the final signature is still missing. The duration is being negotiated —between five and six years—, performance-related variables, and also a special clause linked to strategic signings. Among them, the arrival of Nico Williams, an express request from Lamine Yamal.
Everything is on track, but not yet closed. Meanwhile, the club continues crunching numbers and planning how to fit this renewal into the new salary model.
Lamine Yamal in a match with Barça | @FCBarcelona
The decision is in Yamal's hands
Barça has offered him a contract befitting his status, but without craziness. Now the ball is in Lamine Yamal's court. If he wants to lead Barça for the next decade, he will have to accept that his salary —although very high— will have a reasonable limit.
Joan Laporta has brought the player's entourage down to earth. "You will earn like a star, but we will not break the club for anyone," has been the message behind the scenes. The renewal is very close, but the salary standoff has not yet been fully solved.
