Lamine Yamal received ‘dizzying’ offer to leave Barcelona for European giants but one man stopped transfer Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal could have left the club to join a major European rival, but one manager stood in his way.
Barcelona fans likely view Lamine Yamal as essential right now, yet the young star has had opportunities to leave the club, receiving significant offers. One key figure played a vital role in persuading the 17-year-old to stay at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona is known for showcasing world-class talent, and its academy continually produces outstanding players. Yamal seems poised to become a generational star.
Last season marked a major turning point for the teenager, who made his first-team debut and participated in nearly every match for his childhood club. He also made a notable impact on the international stage at Euro 2024.
Few players are as exciting and influential as Yamal today. This was highlighted by the recent Ballon d’Or awards, where he won the 2024 Kopa Trophy and ranked eighth in the men’s overall standings.
As a result, Barcelona is keen to keep this exceptional talent, having already turned down two substantial offers from PSG this year. Reports indicate that PSG had bids of €200 million and €250 million rejected in January and during the summer.
Years ago, at just 15, Yamal had the chance to leave Barcelona’s youth setup for PSG, which had made him an attractive offer before he signed his first professional contract. However, then-manager Xavi Hernandez intervened, convincing Yamal to stay with the promise of an imminent first-team debut.
Yamal has been linked with moves away from Barcelona before, and this is unlikely to be the last instance. Given Barcelona’s financial challenges, he has become a target for clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool.
His contract runs until 2026, but the next two years will be fascinating to observe, especially if Yamal continues his current performance, as more clubs are likely to show interest in signing him.