Although Al Ahly’s director of football, Walid Salah, announced Hamza Abdel Karim’s transfer to Barcelona, the deal is now threatened with collapse, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Since last December, Barcelona has been engaged in complex negotiations with Al Ahly, culminating in an agreement to loan the 18-year-old to Barça until the end of the season with an option to buy.
However, Romano asserts that Barcelona officials have acknowledged administrative complications that could ultimately derail the deal.
The nature of these complications was not specified, but they may include the issue of registering new players due to Financial Fair Play regulations, and Barcelona’s need to offload some of its players to make room for Hamza Abdel Karim.
While there is considerable confidence in Egypt and among the player’s supporters that he will soon be a Barcelona player, the current circumstances are far from promising, and the deal could fall apart at the last minute.
It is noted that Abdel Karim has already bid farewell to his Al-Ahly teammates in preparation for his move to Barcelona, with the Catalan club set to pay 3 million euros, up to 5 million with some variables, if the purchase clause is activated next summer.
