Joan Laporta, FC Barcelona President, has revealed he rejected an offer for one of his players that would have broken the transfer world record. Read on to discover who the player is and how much was offered for him.
FC Barcelona Turned Down £207m Offer For Lamine Yamal
An Astronomical Figure
Speaking in an interview with Barça One, Joan Laporta revealed he rejected an enormous bid for winger Lamine Yamal six months ago. The FC Barcelona President spoke of an offer worth £207 million which would have surpassed the £184 million that was paid for Neymar Jr by PSG as being the highest transfer fee of all time.
It has been reported by Fabrizio Romano that it was the French club again making the offer to the Catalans. Still only 17 years old, this would have seen Yamal link up with fellow Spaniard Luís Enrique in Paris.
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However, Laporta sounded proud in his statement, adding “Imagine how much Lamine Yamal can be worth now”. He heaped big plaudits onto his young superstar by saying “He’s the most attractive, interesting talent in the world right now”.
A Deserved Price Tag?
It’s no secret that Yamal is currently in a hot vein of form. He’s been involved in eleven goals for club and country already this season; leading the way in La Liga for assists alongside Álex Baena of Villarreal CF.
This contribution has helped his club to sit atop the league table and his country to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Nations League. But questions must be raised about lumping such a huge transfer tag on his shoulders.
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Given his early successes at such a young age, it can be easily assumed that his progression will be linear and that he will continue to get better into his late teens and early twenties. But examples of those before him must be remembered as a way to keep everyone’s expectations at bay.
Working closely with him at Barcelona is Bojan Krkić, a once highly rated teenager who was dubbed “the new Messi” – as Yamal has been too. Krkić’s role at the club is to manage the great personal weight that comes with being such a talented young professional so that the players avoid the potential pitfalls that scuppered his own chances of career longevity.
With this help, there’s no reason why Yamal can’t continue to shine and be the next best player in world football. If so, he may start to outgrow that £207 Million price tag after all.
