Yamal's Lamine Contract At Barcelona Receives Special Treatment

JAKARTA - Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, said talks to extend Lamine Yamal's contract would end well. The 2024/2025 La Liga champion is ready to give special treatment to the teenager.

Yamal has an agreement with Barcelona until 2026. ESPN has previously reported that the Catalan club wants to tie him to a longer contract when he turns 18 in July 2025.

"It's been discussed (the Yamal contract), but it hasn't been signed yet. Lamine is a great player, an amazing person, and is very mature."

"There are good feelings with his representatives and with his family. His agent, (Jorge) Mendes, advised him well."

"It will end well. He grew up here, he's a Catalan and he's a Barcelona fan. He's happy at Barcelona and destined to be the best player in the world," Laporta told TV3 about negotiations to extend Yamal's contract.

Talks between the two sides have been going on for months, but Yamal's market value continues to increase every week.

He has played an important role in the last months of the season when Barcelona won domestic trebles, namely winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup (Supercopa de Espana).

The Spain international has scored four goals in his last six games, all of his brilliant kicks were created with his left foot, including against Inter Milan in the semifinals of the Champions League, Real Madrid at El Clasico, and Espanyol last week when Barcelona won La Liga.

Laporta said Yamal would earn a decent salary because of his position in the team, regardless of his age.

"It's not finished yet, but it's been done. (Gaji) must be in accordance with his performance, not his age."

"The club must give him special treatment. We must unite the interests of the club with the interests of Lamine. Hopefully there will be understanding on both sides," Laporta said of the financial side of the deal.

There are also suggestions that every new contract will be accompanied by a shirt numbered 10, which Ansu Fati has imposed since Lionel Messi left the club in 2021.

Yamal is currently wearing a jersey number 19.

"The Director of Sport Deco will decide, it's an internal problem. What I like about Lamine is that she has so much individual talent."

"He is also involved in the way we play as a team. He's a modern player who knows how to defend," Laporta said.

Yamal is one of several players whose contract is being sought by Barcelona to be extended.

Laporta also said that the club is working to extend Frenkie de Jong's contract, which expires in 2026. While contract talks have also been held with Raphinha, whose current contract period is valid until 2027.

The Blaugrana will then seek to strengthen the squad across the line. ESPN reported last week that wing-positioned players, centre-backs and full-backs will be targeted in the summer exchange.

"We will complete all the updates and then we will consider recruiting."

"In order to be competitive, you have to recruit players. We are trying to improve in every position," Laporta said.