FC Barcelona are one step away from completing another important operation for the future. Hamza Abdelkarim is expected to stay permanently after arriving on loan from Al-Ahly. According to Mundo Deportivo, the club are preparing to give the final green light to his purchase very soon.
The operation would not require a huge investment, but it could have significant sporting upside. Barça agreed a purchase option worth €3 million, which could rise to €5 million with variables. Within the club’s current financial context, that figure is seen internally as a very attractive opportunity.
The club officially announced his loan in February until June 30, 2026. The agreement with Al-Ahly included a purchase option at the end of the season. Barça also presented Hamza as the first Egyptian player to join a blaugrana structure.
A bet that is accelerating
Hamza initially arrived to strengthen Barça Atlètic, but his path was slowed by several obstacles. Bureaucratic issues prevented him from competing earlier with the reserve team coached by Juliano Belletti. That is why the striker ended up growing with Pol Planas’ Juvenil A side.
The Egyptian forward’s response was immediate and very convincing for the sporting structure. Mundo Deportivo highlights his hat-trick against Montecarlo in just fifteen minutes of play. That performance increased attention in Barcelona and also within Egyptian football.
Barça Blaugranes also underlined his impact in decisive matches during the final stretch of the youth season. The outlet recalled his goal against Las Palmas and his key appearance against Alcalá. His adaptation to European football has been much quicker than initially expected.
Egypt changes the dimension
The major turning point arrived with his call-up to Egypt’s World Cup squad. Al Jazeera, citing Reuters, confirmed that Hamza was included in the 27-man preliminary list. The national team will have to make one cut before reducing the final squad to 26 players.
The call from Hossam Hassan created huge impact because of the player’s age. Hamza has still not debuted in professional elite football, but he is already on the World Cup stage. Sharing a camp with Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush multiplies his international exposure.
Al Jazeera describes the striker as one of Egypt’s most promising attacking talents. That external recognition reinforces the feeling that Barça must move quickly. Waiting too long could make an operation that currently looks controlled much more expensive.
A signing for the future
Hamza is not arriving to solve an immediate first-team urgency this season. The plan is to control his development, minutes and adaptation to higher demands. A step towards the reserve team could be the natural next move after completing his purchase.
Barça’s official website describes him as a very mobile striker with strong goalscoring instinct. It also recalls that he already made his debut with Al-Ahly in the CAF Champions League. That competitive background, despite his youth, explains part of Barça’s interest.
The bet fits perfectly with a policy based on young talent and reasonable cost. Barça are looking for operations that can grow without damaging their salary margin this summer. In that sense, Hamza offers projection, international impact and a very manageable investment.
The second signing takes shape
The official announcement is still missing, but all signs point in the same direction. Mundo Deportivo claims club sources already expect the final approval. Barça Blaugranes also maintains that activating the purchase option is now a very likely outcome.
The move would also strengthen Barça’s presence in African markets with huge potential. Al-Ahly are one of the most powerful clubs on the continent and have a highly competitive academy. Signing a young World Cup-level talent from there would give Barça an interesting strategic advantage.
Barça would not only be closing a cheap purchase, but anticipating a possible explosion. Hamza Abdelkarim has earned the move with goals, adaptation and a historic national team call-up. And there lies the twist: the second signing of the summer could come directly from the Juvenil A.
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