Barcelona unworried about €150m player’s contract expiry in 2026 for two reasons

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 24: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club at Camp Nou on August 24, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.

Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images

Over the last year or so, Lamine Yamal has proven himself to be one of the biggest assets for FC Barcelona. Only at 17 years of age, the youngster is emerging as one of the best wingers in Spain and Europe, and the Blaugranes are truly lucky to have such a gem in their hands.

His current contract with the Catalan club goes till 2026, and there are only one and a half years left till this contract expires.

However, as Mundo Deportivo has reported, Barcelona are not really worried about the young winger’s contractual situation, for two reasons in particular.

Firstly, the Blaugranes already have an agreement in place with Yamal to extend his association with the club till 2030 as soon as he turns 18 years of age. This arrangement has already been agreed upon with Yamal’s agent, Jorge Mendes, and will be implemented automatically when he is 18 years old.

Secondly, the commitment that the youngster has shown to Barcelona repeatedly over the last two years also reassures the club about his future at the Blaugrana club.

In a recent interview with El Hormiguero, Yamal made it clear that he is not thrilled about being valued at €120 million (his transfer market valuation at the time, which has since increased to €150 million):

“I don’t want them to give me those €120 million because I would have to leave Barca. I hope I can never leave Barca, I want to be a legend.”

(Goal.com)

This statement was a clear sign of the Spaniard’s intent to remain at the Catalan club for years to come.

In addition to his love for the club which has been instilled in him over the years, the UEFA EURO 2024 winner also highly values the way the Blaugranes are taking care of him, not only in terms of financial remuneration but also his diet and media exposure, with Hansi Flick himself keeping a close eye on his development.