Barcelona want to increase Hamza’s release clause tenfold after learning from Dro

Barcelona have opened talks over an improved contract for Hamza Abdelkarim. According to “Sport”, club officials met the 18-year-old striker’s agent, Christian Emile, at the training ground two days ago.

The main objective is to raise Hamza’s release clause from €15 million to €150 million. Negotiations are reportedly progressing well, but no agreement has been signed or officially announced. The higher figure remains Barcelona’s plan rather than a new contractual condition already in force.

A DEAL UNTIL 2029 IS NO LONGER ENOUGH

Barcelona completed Hamza’s permanent move from Al-Ahly in June after exercising a €1.5 million purchase option, with further payments potentially due in bonuses. The Egyptian forward signed a contract running until 30 June 2029.

Only a few months later, the club already consider the terms insufficient protection.

Hamza scored four goals during pre-season and finished the summer as Barcelona’s leading scorer. Hansi Flick subsequently promoted him to the senior squad, while the striker has also been included on the club’s A list for the Champions League.

His progress has changed the way Barcelona view the €15 million clause. That amount may once have appeared reasonable for a developing player, but it now looks dangerously accessible to leading European clubs. A buyer willing to pay it would not need Barcelona’s permission to negotiate with the player.

The proposed clause would be ten times higher. However, the distinction remains important: Barcelona want the figure increased to €150 million, but have not confirmed a completed renewal.

THE DRO CASE REMAINS FRESH

Barcelona’s caution is linked to the departure of Pedro “Dro” Fernández in January 2026. The midfielder had a €6 million release clause and had already been introduced to senior football by Flick.

Paris Saint-Germain eventually agreed to pay more than €8 million, but Barcelona still lost one of their most highly rated academy prospects. Dro signed a contract with the French club until 2030.

Joan Laporta described the situation as “unpleasant”. Barcelona believed they had an understanding over a new deal, only for the player and his representatives to choose PSG. It was an expensive reminder that verbal commitments do not provide much protection when the written contract contains an affordable exit.

The club do not want to repeat that sequence with Hamza. There is currently no indication that the Egyptian is pushing to leave. The negotiations are being driven by Barcelona’s desire to reward his progress and remove an obvious opening for other clubs.

THIS TIME BARCELONA ARE MOVING FIRST

Recruiting Hamza for an initial €1.5 million could prove to be an excellent piece of business. His performances have already raised expectations, and his inclusion in the Champions League squad shows that he is no longer being treated solely as a reserve-team project.

That makes the original €15 million clause increasingly difficult to defend. Barcelona signed a promising player at a low price and then watched his status grow much faster than the protection written into his contract. The response is sensible, even if moving directly from €15 million to €150 million suggests the first estimate may have been slightly conservative.

The meeting with Christian Emile is a significant step, not the conclusion. Until the documents are signed, Hamza remains under his existing deal and the proposed €150 million clause is still being negotiated.

Barcelona learned the hard way with Dro. At least this time, the lesson appears to have arrived before the player left the building.