Barcelona are intensifying their efforts to sign 17-year-old Egyptian sensation Hamza Abdelkarim from Al Ahly, as the club continue to prioritise young, high-potential forwards in their long-term strategy. After a series of standout displays with Egypt’s Under-17 side and a recent breakthrough into Al Ahly’s senior squad, the young striker has captured European attention at an extraordinary pace.
The Catalan club’s interest reportedly escalated following the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, where their scouts identified Abdelkarim as one of the tournament’s most promising attackers. His combination of pace, awareness, and clinical finishing immediately placed him on Barcelona’s priority list for the January transfer window.
Negotiations between Barcelona and Al Ahly have already entered an advanced stage. The transfer structure is expected to involve an initial loan, giving Barcelona flexibility while ensuring the player transitions smoothly into European football. This method has become a notable feature of Barcelona’s recruitment model, particularly when signing developing talents from abroad.
Barcelona intend to integrate Abdelkarim into Barça Atlètic at the start of 2025. The reserve side are in urgent need of attacking reinforcement, and the Egyptian teenager fits perfectly into the club’s long-term developmental blueprint. However, the most intriguing element of the deal is Barcelona’s commitment to placing him in the senior squad’s pre-season activities next summer — an offer that reportedly convinced the player and his family to approve the move without hesitation.
Sources close to the situation reveal that Bayern Munich and AC Milan were both preparing early proposals for the player, but Barcelona’s proactive approach gave them a decisive advantage. Moreover, Abdelkarim has personally expressed his desire to join Barcelona, a factor that has significantly accelerated negotiations.
His father’s involvement has further contributed to the progress. He has urged Al Ahly to give his son the opportunity to advance his career in Europe, emphasising the importance of joining a club renowned for nurturing young forwards, including icons such as Messi, Bojan, Fati, and Yamal.
Al Ahly, while reluctant to lose such a promising prospect, are prepared to release him under specific conditions. Their demands include a guaranteed fee, additional payments based on performance milestones, and a percentage of future transfer profits. The club sees this as a long-term investment, anticipating that Abdelkarim’s value will rise rapidly within European football.
Performance experts describe him as a modern striker: agile, intelligent, and capable of adapting to multiple offensive roles. He frequently drops deep to assist in possession recovery, executes quick one-twos with midfielders, and demonstrates strong awareness in tight spaces. Coaches within the Egyptian system have long viewed him as one of the country’s most exciting next-generation talents.
Should the final agreement be executed within the next few weeks, Abdelkarim’s move would become one of the most high-profile African youth transfers of the year and a major statement of intent from Barcelona’s recruitment department.