According to a report from AS, Barcelona are planning to increase Lamine Yamal’s release clause to deter major European clubs like Paris Saint-Germain from trying to sign him.
Beyond the on-ground activities, Yamal’s most significant role during the summer will likely involve a potential revision of his current contract with the club, which runs until 2026.
Originally, Barcelona intended to extend Yamal’s contract until 2030 when he turns 18 in July 2025. However, his recent meteoric rise has increased his market value significantly.
According to Transfermarkt, his value has jumped from €25 million in September 2023 to €75 million by March 2024.
This surge in valuation necessitates an immediate reassessment of his contract terms, particularly given the interest from major clubs like Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG, a club with a history of acquiring top players from Barcelona such as Neymar and Lionel Messi, reportedly has its sights set on Yamal and may be willing to offer around €200 million for his transfer.
This interest adds urgency to Barcelona’s efforts to revise Yamal’s contract, ensuring they secure his future at the club and reflect his current value in his earnings.
What next for Barcelona and Yamal?
Considering the situation at hand, Jorge Mendes, who serves as Lamine’s informal agent until he turns 18 (at which point his representation becomes official), plays a significant role in managing the young player’s contract.
The improvement of Lamine’s contract is just one of the several matters that the highly regarded Portuguese agent is handling for Barcelona.
Interestingly enough, President Joan Laporta’s collaboration with Mendes in one area can simplify matters in another.
For instance, last summer, while the club was working on extending AljandroBalde’s contract, there were also ongoing negotiations about Joao Felix’s future, Ansu Fati’s potential loan to Brighton, and Nico’s transfer to Porto.
Ultimately, this summer will bring another round of serious business for Mendes and Barcelona.
