Lamine Yamal is FC Barcelona's greatest treasure and, at the same time, their biggest concern. At just 17 years old, he has gone from being a promise to establishing himself as a global star. His impact on the first team and the Spanish national team has sparked interest from around the world.
The club is aware of the situation. They know that retaining him will be one of the biggest challenges in the coming years. Especially now that difficult-to-match proposals are starting to arrive.
The Giants Are Already Lurking
Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain were the first to make a move. Both clubs see Lamine as a perfect generational replacement for their attacks. They are willing to offer him contracts that, economically, Barça can't match.
City sees him as the ideal piece to refresh their offensive project. PSG, mindful of Mbappé's future, considers him a natural heir. However, none of these options have been the ones that have most disturbed the calm at Camp Nou.
In the last few hours, a proposal that surpasses anything imaginable has arrived at the blaugrana offices. A club that wasn't in the running has burst into the race for Lamine Yamal. Their offer is unprecedented in the history of world soccer.
The proposal includes an astronomical amount for Barça. And also an irresistible contract for the player. The impact of this maneuver has left everyone at the club in shock.
Figures Beyond Any Standard
The team in question is offering 500 million euros ($500 million) to Barça as a transfer. For Lamine, they are preparing a contract of 1.5 billion euros ($1.5 billion) spread over five seasons. A sum that surpasses any known operation to date.
This same strategy was previously attempted with another young South American star. Although they were unsuccessful, they haven't given up on replicating the move, now directly targeting the blaugrana jewel.
One of the problems for the club is that Lamine Yamal's current salary doesn't reflect his true value. Due to his youth, the current agreement establishes a very gradual salary progression. This makes him a perfect target for exorbitant external offers.
Meanwhile, his release clause is set at 1 billion euros ($1 billion). A high figure, but insufficient if the player decides to accept an offer that guarantees his departure through other means.
Laporta Forced to Act Quickly
Joan Laporta and Deco are already working on an urgent renewal for Lamine. The goal is to ensure his continuity by securing him with a contract that matches his current status. They know it will be difficult to compete with the amounts handled in other markets, but they trust in the player's commitment.
The sporting project and the emotional weight of Barça are the main arguments the club will present to convince him. Lamine, meanwhile, has always expressed his desire to succeed at Camp Nou.
The historic offer for Lamine Yamal doesn't come from either City or PSG. The real threat comes from Saudi Arabia, which wants to sign him as the new face of their ambitious soccer project.
European soccer sees once again how Arab money threatens to change the rules of the market. And Barça knows they must act wisely to protect their greatest jewel.