In a twist that could reshape the football transfer market once again, Manchester City joined €400 million Lamine Yamal race in a transfer which could emerge as the subject world-record transfer race.
Just eight years after Barcelona sold Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain in a then-unthinkable £198 million move, history could be about to repeat itself — this time at nearly double the price.
According to reports from Fichajes, Barcelona have placed a jaw-dropping €400 million valuation on Yamal, who is said to be growing frustrated under the management of Hansi Flick. The publication claims that tension has surfaced between the young winger and the German boss following Flick’s “public criticism” of his team’s performance, creating uncertainty over Yamal’s long-term future at Camp Nou.
Barcelona Facing Familiar Pressure Over Yamal’s Future
For Barcelona, the mere mention of another mega-money sale brings back memories of Neymar’s departure in 2017 — an event that transformed European football and destabilised the Catalan club’s long-term strategy.
This time, however, the financial context is far more complicated. Still reeling from years of debt and wage restrictions, Barcelona remain under heavy financial strain, and an extraordinary offer for Yamal could solve several of their ongoing issues.
Reports indicate that Saudi club Al-Hilal have already made a world-record offer for the 18-year-old star. Yet Barcelona, desperate to protect their brightest talent, rejected the proposal outright. City Reports understands that Yamal currently has a €1 billion release clause — a clause designed to fend off potential suitors.
While it appears almost impossible that a club would pay such a figure, there is a historical precedent that Barcelona cannot ignore. PSG stunned the world in 2017 by activating Neymar’s €222 million release clause, forcing Barcelona’s hand and triggering a transfer that changed football’s financial landscape forever.
In Yamal’s case, Fichajes reported that “financial pressure and the player’s ambition could complicate this position,” suggesting that Barcelona’s firm stance might weaken if internal tensions persist.
Manchester City and Al-Hilal Monitoring Developments
According to report, Manchester City joined €400 million Lamine Yamal race because Pep Guardiola is a long-time admirer of Yamal’s extraordinary technical skill and maturity, despite his age. While City are not known for reckless spending, the Premier League champions have been linked with a sensational approach if Yamal becomes available.
With Guardiola having successfully nurtured young talents like Phil Foden and Jérémy Doku, there is a belief that Yamal could thrive under his system at the Etihad Stadium.
However, City’s potential involvement would come with complex financial considerations. A €400 million transfer would not only dwarf any previous Premier League signing but also raise questions over UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations.
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Yet, with the club’s sporting success and commercial growth, City remain one of the few European teams theoretically capable of mounting such an ambitious move.
Al-Hilal, on the other hand, represent a very different challenge. The Saudi Pro League side are reportedly prepared to break every financial record to bring Yamal to the Middle East, offering a package that could include astronomical wages and commercial opportunities.
Despite the lure of the Saudi project, Barcelona’s refusal to negotiate so far has reinforced their public stance that the winger is untouchable.
