Barcelona prodigy to renew for five years, Xavi bets on him for the first team

Lamine Yamal is regarded as one of the most talented young prospects coming through the youth ranks at FC Barcelona. Just 15 years of age, the forward made his first-team debut for the Blaugrana when he came on as a substitute against Real Betis and almost scored a goal.

Yamal’s qualities and potential are not lost on Barça and several other bigwigs in Europe. Indeed, with the youngster soon set to turn 16 and becoming eligible to sign his first professional contract, teams across the continent have been sniffing around.

As such, Barcelona have acted quickly and are now hoping to tie him down to a new long-term contract with improved wages to ensure that he stays at the club.

As reported by Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have already sent a five-year contract offer to Yamal through his agent Jorge Mendes with an improvement in his salary.

With an agreement expected to be close, the Catalans hope to officially announce the renewal when the teenager turns 16 on July 13.

Manager Xavi Hernandez has high hopes for the young gem and sees him as a generational talent. In fact, despite his age, the manager is ready to bet on Yamal and wants him in the first-team dynamics for the upcoming season.

The idea would be for Yamal to train and play with the seniors and feature for the subsidiary team when not involved with the first team so as to continue his development.

A versatile operator, Yamal is a right-winger by trade but can also operate as a false-nine, which could come in handy for the Blaugrana especially if the club are successful in offloading Ansu Fati or Ferran Torres or both.

Either way, a five-year contract for Yamal would be a great move that would ensure that the teenage wonderkid’s long-term future is tied to the club.