Barcelona have rejected reports that Paris Saint-Germain are interested in signing Egyptian striker Hamza Abdelkarim at the request of their head coach Luis Enrique.
The Catalan newspaper El Nacional recently reported that Enrique was keen to bring the young forward to PSG, with the manager said to regard Abdelkarim as a player capable of developing into one of the world’s leading strikers.
However, a source within Barcelona has strongly denied that the French champions have made any approach for the Egypt international.
Speaking exclusively to WinWin, the Barcelona source said: “What has been circulating about this matter is completely untrue, as we have not received anything official before the end of the summer transfer window.”
The source also questioned the reliability of the publication behind the report, dismissing its claims as inaccurate.
“The newspaper that published the news is not a reliable source in terms of journalistic standards and trustworthy information. It relies on misleading headlines and incorrect news just to attract readers.”
The denial comes as Barcelona continue discussions with Abdelkarim over a new contract, in what appears to be an effort to secure the striker’s future and protect the club from potential approaches by other teams.
Abdelkarim’s current agreement with Barcelona runs until the summer of 2029. His existing contract contains a release clause worth €15m, a figure the Spanish club is reportedly seeking to increase substantially.
Barcelona are working on an agreement that would raise the player’s penalty clause to €150m.
The proposed change would give the club considerably greater protection against attempts by foreign sides to recruit the Egyptian striker. It would also underline Barcelona’s desire to retain control over the player’s future as interest in his development grows.
According to the information previously reported by WinWin, negotiations between Barcelona and Abdelkarim are moving in a positive direction. Both sides are understood to share the intention of reaching an agreement, with an official announcement expected in the near future.
The contract discussions therefore come against the backdrop of conflicting reports over Abdelkarim’s future. While the Catalan report claimed that Enrique wanted the striker at Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona’s position is that no official approach had been received before the end of the summer transfer window.
For Barcelona, the priority appears to be securing Abdelkarim’s long-term future rather than preparing for his departure. Increasing his release clause from €15m to €150m would represent a significant change to the terms of his contract and make it substantially more difficult for foreign clubs to sign him.
The developments also highlight the importance Barcelona are placing on Abdelkarim, with the club seeking to protect a player it sees as an important part of its plans.
For now, however, the claims of PSG interest remain disputed. Barcelona have publicly rejected the reports through their source, while negotiations over a contract extension continue.
If an agreement is completed, Abdelkarim’s release clause could rise to €150m, potentially putting an end to speculation over an immediate move away from the Spanish club.
