Barcelona forward Hamza Abdelkarim has not been included among Hansi Flick’s attacking options for next season, according to Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo, despite the Egyptian’s recent permanent move to the club.
Abdelkarim joined Barcelona in the current summer transfer window from Al Ahly after a successful loan spell with the club’s reserve side during the second half of last season.
The 2026 World Cup participant travelled with a 30-man squad to England for Barca’s pre-season training camp ahead of the new campaign. However, Mundo Deportivo reported that he does not figure among the forwards being considered by the German coach.
The Catalan outlet outlined the club’s search for a new striker and suggested that Abdelkarim is not viewed as a first-team option in that role at this stage.
Barcelona’s striker search
Mundo Deportivo, in a piece centred on Barcelona’s attempts to sign a new centre-forward, reported that the club are targeting Bournemouth’s French striker Eli Kroupi as an alternative if they fail to land Argentina international Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.
Citing French newspaper L’Equipe, the Catalan daily stated that Bournemouth have already rejected two offers from Barcelona for Kroupi, with both bids coming in below €100m.
According to the report, Alvarez remains Barcelona’s primary target to fill the centre-forward position vacated by Poland striker Robert Lewandowski. Atletico Madrid, though, are said to have made clear they do not intend to part with the Argentine during the current summer transfer window.
Internal options ahead of Abdelkarim
While detailing the possible internal solutions available to Flick if Barcelona are unable to secure a new number nine, Mundo Deportivo listed several players who could be deployed as a central striker.
The newspaper said Flick might turn to compatriot Karim Adeyemi, recently signed from Borussia Dortmund, as a traditional centre-forward. Other options named were Spain international Ferran Torres, his compatriot Dani Olmo, and highly rated teenager Lamine Yamal.
Abdelkarim’s name did not appear among these potential alternatives up front, despite his “impressive” performances for Barcelona’s reserve team over the latter part of last season, which the report noted had helped him secure involvement at the 2026 World Cup.
The omission underlines the scale of competition the 21-year-old (age not given in the article, so not stated) faces to break into the first team in his preferred position, with Flick apparently prioritising established senior players and big-money targets as Barcelona reshape their attack following Lewandowski’s departure.
Although Abdelkarim has earned a place on the club’s pre-season tour and remains under contract following his move from Al Ahly, the Catalan report indicates that, for now at least, he is not among the forwards Flick is expected to rely upon in the coming campaign.
