Barcelona on RED ALERT as Lamine Yamal makes contract demand

Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal is a player who cannot shake the spotlight.

At just 18 years old, he finished as the Ballon d’Or runner-up and is widely regarded as the most exciting footballer on the planet.

This season, though, controversy has started to dog him. He has struggled with a groin injury, which has affected his output and perhaps explains why he has cut a frustrated figure at times for Barcelona. After El Clasico, he was notably central to a ruckus involving Vinicius Junior.

Lamine’s exploits with Spain, too, have come under the microscope. While Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has criticised Luis de la Fuente’s use of the player, there have been reports that inside La Roja’s locker room, players are beginning to grow tired of the young prodigy’s attitude.

Called to the Spain squad to face Georgia and Turkey in the coming week, Barcelona are said to be on “red alert” over the youngster, according to Catalan source El Nacional.

The injury problems that Lamine continues to be troubled by started while on international duty, and his latest call is unlikely to please Flick.

De la Fuente’s comments during his press conference are unlikely to have gone down well in Barcelona.

“I think Lamine is in perfect condition. His coach has said he’s fit, he’s regaining his usual form, and he’ll be here as long as we deem necessary. We have a lot at stake, and we want the best players with us,” the Spain boss said.

This is code for: I’ll use him as much as I want. All at Barcelona, therefore, seem on edge about the potential for Lamine’s physical issues to be aggravated without their supervision.

Lamine Yamal makes Lewandowski request

Yamal’s influence at Barcelona, meanwhile, is growing. The teenager is even starting to make demands of his club in the transfer market.

He has told the club’s leaders that he wants Robert Lewandowski to remain at Camp Nou for next season, El Nacional adds.

Out of contract at the end of the season, the 37-year-old remains one of the deadliest strikers in the world, having scored seven times in just 449 minutes of action in La Liga.

The Poland star is seen by Lamine as a player who brings out the best in those around him, and it is claimed that the youngster has now “requested” that the veteran’s contract be extended.

“Lamine has made his message clear to both Hansi Flick and Deco: he wants to be a starter, and he wants the Polish striker on the pitch with him. With Lewandowski, his football reaches another level,” the report says, claiming that Lamine sees the No.9 as “pure gold”.

Yamal has already told the Barcelona board that he wants Lewandowski earmarked as a started next season too, so if the youngster gets his way, a new contract will be heading in the direction of the prolific striker.

Related stories:

Lamine Yamal faces fresh Spain controversy as reports claim team-mates have turned on him

Raphinha criticises Lamine Yamal after El Clasico: He gave Real Madrid extra motivation

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