Barcelona's stance on loaning Hamza Abdelkarim

Barcelona's sporting director, Deco, is betting on Hamza Abdelkarim's ability to contribute to the first team this season, after deciding to keep the Egyptian forward and not agreeing to his loan departure during the summer transfer window, despite receiving offers for him.

According to the newspaper "AS", FC Barcelona have extended Hamza Abdelkarim's contract until June 2030, raising his release clause from €15 million to €150 million, in a move that reflects the level of confidence the sporting management has in the player.

The sports committee believes Hamza Abdelkarim is still in the adjustment phase, and spending a full season under the guidance of Hans Flick, training alongside a group of players who have won the World Cup, will help him complete his development process.

Deco and Flick believe Hamza possesses the qualities FC Barcelona needs in certain matches, especially since he is the only player in the first team with the characteristics of a specialist striker in the penalty area. Flick recently described him as the number 9 striker of the future.

Since joining FC Barcelona on February 1, Hamza Abdelkarim has scored six goals in nine matches with the youth team, prompting the club to activate their purchase option and extend his contract to secure his future.

The Egyptian forward still needs to improve his performance outside the penalty area, as well as learn more about attacking and defensive movements, but he has a clear talent in front of goal, having made his first appearance with the first team against Rayo Vallecano.

Hamza Abdelkarim will alternate between the first team, where he wears the number 29 shirt, and the reserve team with the number 19 shirt. With the confidence of Deco and Flick in him, he is expected to be included in the first team's lists, making him an available option when needed, with the possibility of getting limited minutes if he does not participate with the reserve team.