Barcelona raises Hamza Al-Karimi's release clause to €150 million

Barcelona is preparing to reward its Egyptian striker Hamza Abdel-Karim with a new contract, following the outstanding performances he has delivered recently, both with the youth team and during pre-season preparations with the first team. The Spanish newspaper Sport reported that the Catalan club’s management has decided to extend the player’s contract, which currently runs until 2029, with a significant increase in his release clause. According to the newspaper, Barcelona intends to raise Hamza’s release clause from 15 million euros (approximately $16.2 million) to 150 million euros (approximately $162 million), a move that reflects the club’s confidence in his abilities and future. The new contract will also include a noticeable increase in his salary.

The Egyptian striker delivered strong performances during Barcelona’s pre-season tour in England, scoring two goals in his first match against Birmingham, before continuing his impressive form with a goal against Basel. He added another goal in the Joan Gamper Trophy. He also scored against his former club, Al Ahly, but refrained from celebrating out of respect for his former team, finishing the pre-season period as Barcelona’s top scorer in friendly matches.

With the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Barcelona currently lacks a dedicated striker, giving Hamza a greater opportunity to continue his development and prove his abilities alongside the first-team stars. Hamza’s performances have caught the attention of his German coach, Hansi Flick, who praised his abilities and character, stating, “I think he is very humble, has a good personality, and possesses great potential. He is a striker who knows how to position himself inside the penalty area and is always aware of the flow of the game, which is exactly what I expect from a number nine.”

Hamza’s steps with Barcelona are accelerating, as he is now a candidate to make his official debut for the team in La Liga during the match against Getafe next Sunday. He is expected to be included in the matchday squad, with a possibility of getting some playing time, especially after Flick gave him a prominent role and relied on him as a starter during the pre-season period.