Transfers

EXCLUSIVE: Yamal set for new contract as Barcelona shun €200m transfer

April 18, 2025

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EXCLUSIVE: Yamal set for new contract as Barcelona shun €200m transfer

Lamine Yamal, The Transfers Podcast — © IMAGO

Lamine Yamal is on course to sign a five-year contract with Barcelona this summer despite the La Liga side’s ongoing financial issues, The Transfers Podcast understands.

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Yamal has been a revelation since breaking into the Barca team in 2023 but the 17-year-old’s contract expires in 2026 due to his inability to sign a longer deal until his 18th birthday in July.

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Barcelona’s long-documented financial troubles has prompted speculation that teams such as Manchester City will look to take advantage of the situation by making a €200 million bid for Yamal but Duncan Castles told The Transfers Podcast that plans are in place to ensure there are no problems with the teenager’s new deal.

“The guidance I have is that Yamal will sign for Barcelona,” Castles said. “The new contract is essentially agreed in all parts, which has actually seen Yamal talk about hoping he would sign the contract soon.

“The block has been that he doesn’t turn 18 until July. Once he turns 18, he can sign a five-year contract. Barca are waiting until the second accounting date with UEFA before formalising a deal that has already been there to announce his stay with the club.

“I think Barcelona have no choice in this, and that’s where Yamal has been in a strong position, even though he’s talked about wanting to stay there. You can’t afford to lose a player of that level. You have to do whatever is required.”

Barcelona offered Yamal out last summer after financial fears

Barcelona’s delay in registering Yamal’s new contract until UEFA’s secondary window is part of their efforts to creatively avoid any further financial issues after years of turmoil with La Liga.

Castles revealed that Barcelona’s situation was so troubled last summer that they had offered European sides a chance to sign Yamal for €200m if their financial issued worsened.

While Barca are confident they will avoid any issues with Yamal’s renewal, they may be forced to ‘market’ a number of squad players to meet La Liga’s salary requirements for next season.

“We know La Liga is gunning for them, as it has been for years now. I think there will probably have to be sacrifices made,” Castles said.

“I think you’ll see them marketing a lot of the other players in their squad to try and raise some revenue, to make their creative accounts functional for La Liga purposes for the coming season.”