Barcelona’s roadmap for breakout teenager: reserve-team registration, improved salary, and higher release clause
· Yahoo Sports
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According to SPORT, FC Barcelona are sticking firmly to the roadmap established for Hamza Abdelkarim.
Despite not playing a single minute in the opening two La Liga matches, the club and coaching staff remain fully confident in the young Egyptian forward.
The 18-year-old showed his potential during pre-season, finishing as Barcelona’s top scorer during the summer.
Hansi Flick continues to rate him highly and sees him as an interesting option to provide depth for the first team in attack.
For now, however, the club believes Abdelkarim still needs regular competitive football to continue his development.
Physical development
Abdelkarim has made a clear physical leap in recent months.
Alongside his qualities as a traditional No. 9 and his imposing frame, he has been following a specific strength and conditioning program that is already producing visible results, with further development in both his upper and lower body.
Hamza Abdelkarim is making a big impression. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
His experience with the Egypt senior national team at the recent World Cup has also contributed to that progress.
That experience accelerated his competitive development and helped Flick see a player increasingly ready for elite football, although Barça remain aware that he still has several stages of his development to complete.
Reserve-team registration
According to the report, Barcelona’s firm intention is for Abdelkarim to retain the No. 29 shirt, with which he is already registered at the start of the season.
The plan from the outset has been for Hamza to retain his reserve-team registration so that he can maintain his match rhythm by dropping down to Barça Atletic whenever he is not playing for the first team.
A new contract in the works. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)
Barcelona expect there to be periods during the season when Flick gives him fewer opportunities. Having the option to play for Juliano Belletti’s Barça Atletic would allow the 18-year-old to continue developing rather than spending long periods without minutes.
Renewal and improved financial terms
At the same time, Barcelona are working on a new contract for Abdelkarim.
The agreement he signed when he initially joined the youth setup has become outdated given his current status within the club.
The Blaugrana, therefore, plan to offer improved financial terms that reflect his new role, while also substantially increasing his release clause.
His current clause stands at €15 million, a figure Barcelona consider potentially attractive to clubs outside Spain.
The planned increase would give the club significantly greater protection over one of their most promising young forwards.