Did Lamine Yamal just drop Man City transfer hint?

Robin Bairner

11 Sept 2024 12:15 BST
2 min read

Lamine Yamal, Pep Guardiola, Man City — © IMAGO

Lamine Yamal has suggested that he might one day like to play for Manchester City – or at least for Barcelona to swoop for one of Pep Guardiola’s superstars.

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Yamal has lit up Barca since breaking into the first team last season, but he has admitted that there’s one Premier League player that he would love to play with in the future.

Asked by Spanish radio station Radioestadio Noche (via City_Chief) which player he would most like to play with in the future, he did not hesitate to answer: “Kevin De Bruyne”.

If Lamine wants to play with the Belgium legend, though, he better be quick. There is mounting speculation that De Bruyne could complete a transfer to the Saudi Pro League next summer. It is reported that he is being offered €1 million a week to complete the move.

In the meantime, De Bruyne is waiting for talks with Manchester City over his future, but if the Premier League giants get even a sniff that keeping the former Chelsea youngster might then unlock the door for them to sign Lamine Yamal, they will be doubly determined to keep him at the club.

Current ETV

Lamine Yamal

F, AM (R)

Barcelona

Lamine Yamal

F, AM (R)

Barcelona

ETV Range

€62.3M - €103.9M

Lamine Yamal the brightest talent in the world

The Barcelona youngster is, after all, the hottest emerging talent in world football, already boasting an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €83.1 million, the highest of any teenager in football.

Lamine claimed Euro 2024 with Spain, turning in a series of blistering performances, and has started LaLiga in similarly hot form, with one goal and four assists through Barca’s first four matches.

This form has led to claims from Barcelona president Joan Laporta that he knocked back a €250 million offer from PSG for the 17-year-old.

Although Yamal only has a contract until 2026, this is because players under the age of 18 can only be offered a deal with a maximum length of three years. Barcelona will seek to rectify this when the young star turns 18 on 13 July, 2025.

If Man City are willing to move for him, it will take an extraordinary bid to prise him away from Barca.