Barcelona, however, are determined to secure the young striker’s long-term future. The Catalan club are preparing an improved contract that would significantly raise his release clause to a figure between €150 million and €200 million, reflecting their growing belief in his potential after an impressive pre-season.
Abdelkarim has forced his way into the conversation at first-team level following a prolific run of form in friendly matches. He finished the preparation period as Barcelona’s leading scorer, finding the net on multiple occasions, including against his former club Al Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy. Those displays have convinced the club hierarchy that the teenager is worth protecting from external interest.
The low existing release clause has inevitably attracted attention from other sides. Three clubs are understood to have already made formal inquiries, viewing the current buy-out figure as an accessible entry point for a high-upside young forward. Barcelona’s response has been decisive: they intend to tie Abdelkarim down on improved terms and make any future departure considerably more expensive.
Much of the striker’s immediate future still depends on the club’s activity in the transfer market. Should Barcelona successfully add one or more experienced forwards before the window closes, Abdelkarim is likely to continue his development primarily with the B team or as a squad option. If the search for a new number nine proves unsuccessful, the Egyptian could find himself with greater opportunities in Hansi Flick’s first-team plans.
At just 18, Abdelkarim has already represented Egypt at senior level and shown the physical and technical attributes required to succeed in European football. His ability to hold up play, attack crosses and finish clinically has drawn positive comments from the coaching staff.
Barcelona’s willingness to contemplate such a substantial increase in his release clause underlines the value they now place on the player. For Abdelkarim, the coming weeks will determine whether he remains a longer-term project or steps more prominently into the first-team picture this season. Either way, the interest surrounding him confirms that the young Egyptian is firmly on the radar of clubs across Europe.