Barcelona have kept Hamza Abdulkarim out of action until the transfer window closes because the 19-year-old’s contract reportedly contains a €15m release clause, according to Sport.
The figure is considered unusually low compared with the financial power of leading European clubs, particularly those in the Premier League. Barcelona are concerned that Hamza’s impressive pre-season form could have attracted interest while the window remained open.
Head coach Hansi Flick is understood to have deliberately left the player out of matches, with sporting director Deco in agreement with the decision. The club did not want to increase the risk of Hamza being targeted by other teams before it had secured his future.
Once the transfer window shuts, Barcelona are expected to have more time to complete a long-planned contract extension. Discussions over the new agreement were delayed by the pressure surrounding the final days of the transfer period.
The proposed deal would increase Hamza’s release clause from €15m to €150m – a rise of 900%. The new figure would provide Barcelona with significantly greater protection and would also allow the player to compete for more first-team opportunities if Flick decides he is ready.
Hamza’s situation also includes several financial conditions linked to his move from Al Ahly, according to Egyptian outlet WinWin.
Al Ahly will receive a €750,000 bonus if Hamza makes five official appearances for Barcelona’s first team, provided he plays at least 45 minutes in each match. That appearance-related payment could eventually rise to €2m, depending on the number of matches he plays.
There are further incentives based on his goalscoring. If Hamza scores five goals, Al Ahly will receive an additional €300,000, with that bonus potentially increasing in stages to €1.5m.
The report says that, if all of the conditions connected to the €1.5m fixed transfer fee are fulfilled, the total package could reach €5m. That would take the combined fee to €6.5m. Barcelona would regard the additional expense as justified if Hamza produces the level of performances expected of him.
The decision to keep him out of the team is therefore intended to protect both Barcelona’s sporting plans and the club’s financial position. The Catalan side now hope to resolve the contract issue after the window closes and place Hamza’s future on a more secure footing.
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