Hamza Abdelkarim is considering a January loan move away from Barcelona in search of regular football after being limited to brief first-team appearances under Hansi Flick.
According to El Nacional, the 18-year-old Egyptian striker believes a loan could give him the chance to compete for a starting spot. He has continued to make Flick’s matchday squads but stayed on the bench against both Real Madrid in El Clásico and Atlético Madrid.
Hamza has played just 12 minutes across two La Liga appearances this season. He played four minutes against Rayo Vallecano on his competitive debut for Barcelona and eight against Getafe on 10 October. He has been an unused substitute in the Champions League.
His opportunities dwindled after Flick moved Raphinha into the centre-forward role and Barcelona signed Gabriel Jesus in the final days of the summer transfer window. Hamza dropped to third in the pecking order despite leading the team in scoring in pre-season with four goals.
To maintain his match sharpness, Hamza turned out for Barça Atlètic and scored a penalty on his debut against Utebo. He also played the first half for Barcelona’s under-19s against Aston Villa in the UEFA Youth League before taking a place on the first-team bench against the same opposition later that day.
Hamza joined Barcelona on loan from Egypt’s Al Ahly in February 2026. The Catalan club activated their option to buy him in the summer and later agreed to extend his contract through June 2030, giving him the chance to gain experience on loan before returning to compete for a place.
A loan to another La Liga club looks like the most practical option, as it would allow him to compete in the same league and make it easier for Barcelona to track his progress. El Nacional reported interest from several Spanish clubs, including second-tier Girona. The newspaper said Hamza is reluctant to drop down a division.
Italy’s Como remain an option given coach Cesc Fàbregas’s interest. The role Hamza is offered will determine where he goes in January, particularly if his opportunities under Flick remain limited in the coming weeks.
