The newspaper “Sport” reported that Al Ahly is obstructing Hamza Abdel Karim’s transfer to Barcelona, despite an agreement being reached between the Egyptian club and its Catalan counterpart on all the details of the deal.
The 17-year-old was supposed to arrive at Barça following the agreement between the two clubs, which included a six-month loan for €5 million, payable if he played five matches with the reserve team.
The two clubs exchanged contracts, and they were supposed to sign them and officially announce the deal. However, Mahmoud El Khatib’s administration intervened and stalled the transfer once again.
According to the report, Al Ahly wants to extend Hamza’s contract for a long period before his move to Barcelona to secure the player’s future. They fear he might return from the loan with a high market value, forcing the club to sell him for a lower price given his current contract expires in the summer of 2027.
It is said that Hamza Abdel Karim’s father agreed to a one-year extension, while Al Ahly wants a three-year extension. This is where the crisis began, delaying the completion of the deal.
The contract between Al Ahly and Barcelona stipulates that the loan cannot be activated until Hamza renews his contract, which explains the current impasse.
It should be noted that the contract also includes an option to buy in the summer of 2026 for €5 million, linked to performance-related bonuses with the first team (goals, achievements).
