Mansion Sports – Barcelona’s interest in young Egyptian talent Hamza Abdelkarim has attracted public attention in recent weeks.

However, the Catalan club appear set to face difficulties in reaching a transfer agreement for the teenage forward.

Abdelkarim, who will turn 18 next week, has emerged as a January transfer target with the aim of strengthening Barcelona’s affiliated team, Barca Atletic.

Last week, it was revealed that Barcelona had submitted an offer to Al-Ahly for Abdelkarim with a value that could reach 4 million euros.

The proposal took the form of a loan deal with an option to buy, but only 1 million euros was guaranteed payment, while the remainder depended on the achievement of specific targets. The offer was rejected by Al-Ahly.

Al-Ahly Request Barcelona to Increase Their Offer

It has also been reported that Al-Ahly are not satisfied with the terms proposed by Barcelona, and that there remains a fairly significant gap in negotiations between the two parties.

Koraplus, via Sport, reported that Al-Ahly are open to a loan arrangement until the summer, but require a purchase option valued at 8 million euros, with 2 million euros of that amount to be paid as a guaranteed sum, or double the initial guarantee offered by Barcelona.

The Catalan daily also added that at this stage, Barcelona have no intention of paying more than 4 million euros for Abdelkarim, given that the player has no experience at the professional football level.

In addition, Barcelona are only willing to include a resale clause of 10 percent, while Al-Ahly are demanding 20 percent. This point is said to be a non-negotiable aspect from Barcelona’s perspective.

Interest from European Clubs and Abdelkarim’s Stance

The young number nine forward has also attracted interest from Olympique Lyon and Bayern Munich.

Nevertheless, Abdelkarim is reportedly more interested in joining Barcelona. Last week it was reported that he was pushing for a move to the Spanish club, and transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has now stated that the player has given his approval regarding personal terms.

Barca Atletic’s Situation and Attacking Needs

Currently, Barca Atletic compete in the fourth tier of Spanish football. Juliano Belletti has been entrusted with guiding the affiliated team back to Primera RFEF, but he is facing difficulties due to the loss of his two main forwards, Victor Barbera and Oscar Gistau, who are sidelined through injury.

Barca Atletic sit in fifth place in the standings, four points behind league leaders Poblense, with only one automatic promotion spot available.