FC Barcelona has reportedly received a $219 million offer from Paris Saint-Germain for Lamine Yamal, according to MARCA.
FC Barcelona has reportedly received a staggering $219 million (€200 million) offer from Paris Saint-Germain for its 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, as reported by MARCA, citing anonymous sources.
Yamal, who graduated from Barcelona's La Masia academy to the first team at just 15 years old last season, has been setting records as the youngest appearance maker and goalscorer for both club and country. He has become a key player under head coach Xavi Hernandez and is a regular for the Spanish national team, likely to feature in the upcoming Euros in Germany under manager Luis de la Fuente.
According to MARCA, PSG aims to make this season Yamal's last in Barcelona colors. The reported interest from PSG came to light when the player's agent, Jorge Mendes, met with Barcelona president Joan Laporta earlier this week. This offer arrives amidst rumors that PSG star Kylian Mbappe will not renew his contract and is expected to join Barcelona's arch-rivals, Real Madrid, on a free transfer at the end of the current season.
While MARCA's headline suggests that Barcelona has rejected PSG's offer for Yamal, the report indicates that the financially troubled club is uncertain about how to proceed with the proposal. However, according to journalist Luis F. Rojo, Barcelona is unlikely to accept an offer that has yet to be formally presented, especially considering Yamal's potential and his status as part of the club's future.
Barcelona seems hesitant to repeat past mistakes, particularly recalling the 2017 departure of Neymar to PSG for a world-record fee of $243 million (€222 million), which disrupted the team's famed 'MSN' trident. Subsequent signings, including Ousmane Dembele, Philippe Coutinho, and Antoine Griezmann, failed to live up to expectations. Coupled with the financial strain exacerbated by the pandemic, Barcelona is now cautious about accepting lucrative offers for promising young talents like Yamal, recognizing their long-term value to the club.
