Barcelona gem would have already made first-team debut if renewal was complete

Lamine Yamal is widely regarded as one of the finest young talents coming through the ranks at Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy.

Just 15 years of age, the young forward has already been playing for the Catalans’ Under-19 side and has set tongues wagging with his performances.

The teenager has already been called up to first-team training by Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez on multiple occasions.

And, according to Laia Tudel on Tot Costa, Xavi likes what he has seen from the teenage gem so far in training sessions.

In fact, the journalist goes on to add that if Yamal’s contract renewal had been complete, he would have already made his first-team debut for the Blaugrana.

Yamal will turn 16 in July at which point he will be eligible to sign his first professional contract. It has attracted interest from several quarters and Barcelona are thus hoping to seal his contract renewal at the earliest possible.

Past reports suggest that the Catalans want to offer the teenager a three-year contract with a large release clause.

Yamal recently changed his agents, switching from Ivan de la Pena to Jorge Mendes, who has a very good relationship with Barcelona president Joan Laporta. And discussions over a new contract are set to follow imminently.

It has previously been suggested that Xavi could call Yamal up for pre-season training in the summer ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. Whether that is how things turn out remains to be seen. What seems clear is that Barcelona rate him very highly and will look to tie him down to a long-term deal at the earliest.