At just 17 years old, Lamine Yamal has become a phenomenon for FC Barcelona and the Spanish selection. However, his story could have been very different. According to Mundo DeportivoPSG tried to recruit Yamal two years ago, when he was only 15, by making him an exceptional offer without a transfer fee.
The Parisian club hoped to take advantage of his status as a young player to attract him without major cost, a scenario similar to that of Xavi Simons.
Xavi, the decisive intervention to hold back Yamal
Aware of the Parisian interest, Xavi, the Barça coach, intervened to convince Yamal to stay at La Masia by promising him a place in the first team. A few months later, Yamal signed his first professional contract with Barça, until 2026.
Although Joan Laporta recently turned down a €250 million offer for Yamal, PSG have never confirmed being behind the proposal. Today, Yamal has a release clause of one billion euros, consolidating its future in Catalonia.
