Barcelona Seeks to Extend Lamine Yamal’s Contract Without Repeating Past Mistakes
Barcelona is working to extend Lamine Yamal’s stay at the club, but they are determined not to repeat the mistakes made with Lionel Messi’s contract situation in 2021. The young star’s current contract runs until the summer of 2026, with an automatic extension clause in place until 2030. However, the deal has not been formalized, leaving the 17-year-old potentially free to leave the club in just over a year.
The Current Contract Situation and the Role of Jorge Mendes
According to reports from AS, Yamal’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is currently in talks with Barcelona over a potential contract extension. While both Barcelona and Yamal’s representatives are optimistic about securing a deal to keep him until at least 2030, no formal agreement has been reached yet.
Barcelona’s Caution After Messi’s Departure
Barcelona is especially cautious due to the aftermath of Lionel Messi’s departure in 2021. The club faced severe financial difficulties, including over £1 billion in debt and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. These financial issues prevented them from offering Messi a new contract, resulting in his free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. To avoid a similar situation with Yamal, the Blaugrana are being careful not to overextend themselves.
A High-Paid Future for Yamal
In an effort to retain the young talent, Barcelona is reportedly preparing a lucrative contract offer that would make Yamal the highest-paid player at the club. Recognizing Yamal’s immense potential and his already established status as one of the world’s best, Barcelona knows they need to make a significant financial commitment to secure his future at the club.
Upcoming La Liga Match Against Atletico Madrid
While contract talks continue, Yamal’s focus remains on the pitch. He will be looking to help Barcelona secure a victory away at Atletico Madrid this Sunday in a critical La Liga match between the current first and third-place teams.