Barcelona sporting director Deco has issued a hands-off warning to rivals clubs over a future move for “special” player Lamine Yamal.
The winger became Barca’s youngest-ever player when he made his senior debut at the age of just 15 in 2023, and he has since established himself as an important first-team member for the Catalan giants.
Now 17, Yamal has already amassed 82 appearances for Barcelona across all competitions, scoring 18 goals and registering 21 assists, with 11 goals and 14 assists recorded in 31 matches so far this season.
The 2024 Golden Boy winner helped Barca win the 2022-23 La Liga title, before starring for Spain – for whom he has already earned 17 international caps – during their triumphant Euro 2024 campaign.
Yamal is understandably admired by many across Europe, and it was reported at the end of last year that Paris Saint-Germain failed with a world-record bid of €250m (£208m).
Barca chief Deco has now reiterated that the club will not be looking to sell Yamal at any price and he expects the talented teenager to remain at Camp Nou “for many years”.
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“Special” Yamal set to extend Barcelona contract
Speaking to Catalan channel Tv3Deco said: “There are key players, and he is one. There is no discussion, there is no price. There have been no offers because we didn’t even want to talk about it.
“He will probably be at Barca for many years, like Pedri and Gavi. No matter how well things go, they will end up here.
“Lamine Yamal is one of the special ones. He not only has talent. He also has a different mental capacity. The club has to do its homework and he will be here for many years.”
Yamal has less than 18 months remaining on his Barcelona contract, which includes an astronomical £1bn release clause, but the winger recently revealed that he is hoping to renew his deal “soon”.
“I don’t know when (the contract will be signed), but I believe it will be soon,” Yamal told CNN. “At the end of the day, Barca is the club of my life. I hope to renew my contract with them and to be with them for as long as possible.
“I want to play in the Spanish league. I want to play for Barca, and yes, I will renew my contract. I will.”
It is understood that there is an agreement in place for Yamal, who turns 18 in July, to put pen to paper on a new long-term contract at Barca until the summer of 2030.
