If last season wasn’t enough evidence of the potential that Lamine Yamal possesses and the heights that he can reach in world football, he has taken his game to new heights this season ever since the finals of the European Championship with Spain.
The 17-year-old has emerged as one of the best in the world currently, if not the best, constantly chipping in with both goals and assists. Even in the games he doesn’t record a goal contribution, he is always involved.
His importance to FC Barcelona cannot be understated and Barcelona cannot be luckier to have him in their ranks. Back in the summer, it was widely reported that PSG were willing to break the bank to sign the Spanish sensation as a potential replacement for Kylian Mbappe. However, nothing came off the interest as Barcelona rejected it.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, reliable Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that PSG’s interest in the player was indeed true. Here is what he had to say:
“Paris Saint-Germain, when they understood that Kylian Mbappé was going to leave the club and was going to sign for Real Madrid, they really thought at PSG to make a record bid for Lamine Yamal – more than €200 million.”
However, Romano did confirm that this was merely interest on PSG’s side, and an official proposal was not even submitted to Barcelona as neither the club nor the player wanted to entertain it. He continued:
“They never sent this proposal, so it was not an official bid, was not an official proposal, was not even a negotiation because Barcelona and the player didn’t even want to entertain any talks with any club.”
Romano then went on to explain that Barcelona are already readying a contract offer that Lamine would sign once he turns 18. He said:
“Of course, 2025 is going to be an important year for Lamine Yamal, turning 18 in July, so time to sign his first big professional contract with Barcelona. They are already preparing everything, so for Barça that contract is something that they’ve already been preparing for months.”
Romano finally said that Lamine is very happy at Barcelona and the club considers him the face of this new project. He mentioned:
“Lamine Yamal is super happy with Barcelona. For Barcelona, Lamine is an absolutely crucial part of this process, the face of this new project, and so no chance to advance with that one.”
However, he did confirm that PSG even considered going beyond the limits to snatch the Barcelona prodigy, but for Barcelona, it wasn’t even a topic worth discussing. He said:
“PSG really wanted to do something crazy for Lamine but for Barcelona, that was never the case to discuss.”
Lamine Yamal is not just emerging as the face of Barcelona, he is emerging as the face of La Liga. It remains to be seen how the 17-year-old progresses and if he can maintain this consistency going forward.
Barcelona fans can be genuinely excited to have a superstar in their ranks. However, it is important to understand that he is just 17. The expectation of him must be realistic and hopefully, he can develop into the player everyone expects him to and contribute for years to come.