- 24 Dec 2024
Lamine Yamal ANSWERS Arsenal and Liverpool rumours as Barcelona ‘NEED’ to sell
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 26 Oct 2024 19:24 BST
- 3 min read
Lamine Yamal has been linked with a sensational transfer to Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool amid claims that Barcelona may consider selling the 17-year-old superstar due to their financial difficulties.
Barca remain mired in debt despite the prospect of landing a huge sponsorship deal with Nike, and as a consequence, it was claimed by Miguel Delaney of The Independent that the sale of Lamine Yamal could be considered.
Arsenal and Liverpool were both cited as clubs lining up for a sensational transfer move, despite Blaugrana president Joan Laporta having previously claimed that he had knocked back a deal worth €250 million for the youngster, who has a €1 billion release clause in his contract.
No move would be possible until next July, when the winger turns 18, yet Lamine Yamal has already addressed the prospect of leaving Barca in the past.
STATS
Lamine Yamal
F, M (R)
Barcelona
Lamine Yamal
F, M (R)
Barcelona
Speaking on Spanish television show El Hormiguero, he said: “I hope I never leave Barca. I hope to be a legend at Barcelona.”
He added that the comparisons with Lionel Messi, a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, are something that only inspire him.
“Being compared to the best in history is incredible. It means you're doing something right. Comparing yourself to him is very difficult. I try to be myself and be remembered as Lamine,” he said.
Lamine Yamal transfer rumours
Miguel Delaney is the source of these transfer rumours, with the Independent journalist writing in his newsletter that Barcelona still have major financial concerns after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected their claims that their 2022 sale of domestic TV rights for 25 years in the future could be put towards Financial Fair Play (FFP).
He said: “For now, rivals are again eyeing their brilliant youth products such as Gabi, Pedri and - of course - Lamine Yamal. Arsenal and Liverpool would greatly fancy the latter, improbable as it seems right now. They will need to sell. The CAS case illustrated there are no real creative options left.”
