Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed that Paris Saint-Germain made a staggering €250 million offer to sign Lamine Yamal six months ago, which the club decisively rejected. Laporta announced the rejection during an interview with Barca One, emphasizing his unwavering belief in the 17-year-old’s astronomical potential and long-term value to the club.
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The Record-Breaking Offer
Laporta revealed: “They came to buy Lamine from me for €250 million and I said no six months ago. He is the most popular player in the world.” The offer represented a world-record transfer fee, surpassing even the €222 million Barcelona received for Neymar’s departure to PSG in 2017.
Paris Saint-Germain were reportedly ready to break the bank for Yamal and came knocking on Barcelona’s doors with a world-record fee of €250 million (£211m/$277m) ahead of the 2024 summer transfer window to fill the void created by Kylian Mbappe’s departure to Real Madrid.
The Context Behind PSG’s Interest
PSG’s interest in signing Yamal in the summer is hardly surprising, as the French giants had announced the exit of star player Kylian Mbappe. Desperate to fill the void left by the French superstar’s transfer to Real Madrid, PSG identified the Barcelona prodigy as the perfect replacement for their attacking line.
Laporta’s Justification for Rejection
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Offer Amount | €250 million (£211m/$277m) |
| Offer Timing | Summer 2024 transfer window |
| Yamal’s Age | 17 years old |
| Barcelona’s Decision | Firmly rejected |
| Laporta’s Assessment | “Most popular player in the world” |
| Club Priority | Long-term development over immediate profit |
| Context | Filling Mbappe departure void |
| PSG’s Financial Status | Questioned offer feasibility in later reports |
Laporta, firm in his belief in Yamal’s potential, turned down the offer as he backs the youngster to create more history at Camp Nou. The Barcelona president emphasized that financial value cannot accurately capture Yamal’s true worth or ceiling.
Speaking about the offer in an interview with Barca One, Laporta revealed: “What is Lamine’s real value? Well, that is not reflected in the book value.”
PSG’s Denial and Dispute
Notably, PSG have categorically denied making such an offer, with L’Equipe publishing a denial launched directly from Paris Saint-Germain towards Barcelona for the interview. PSG insist Masip’s comments are “one million percent” incorrect and say there is no way they could afford to make such a bid, according to L’Equipe.
Lamine Yamal’s Meteoric Rise
The 17-year-old sensation has become one of Europe’s most exciting young talents, earning widespread recognition for his performances. Lamine became both the youngest player and the youngest goal scorer in the history of the Spanish national team. His emergence as a genuine superstar has justified Barcelona’s confidence in keeping him at the club.
Barcelona’s Strategic Vision
Laporta made the revelation as he defended Barça’s decision to let certain players leave, denying that the club’s financial problems had forced their hand in certain situations. The club’s refusal to sell demonstrates Barcelona’s commitment to building around homegrown talent rather than accepting short-term financial gains.
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FAQs
What was the exact amount of PSG’s offer for Lamine Yamal?
PSG offered €250 million (£211m/$277m) for Lamine Yamal, which Barcelona rejected six months before summer 2024.
Why did PSG want to sign Lamine Yamal?
PSG came knocking on Barcelona’s doors with the world-record fee to fill the void created by Kylian Mbappe’s departure to Real Madrid.
What did Laporta say about Yamal’s true value?
Laporta stated: “What is Lamine’s real value? Well, that is not reflected in the book value,” emphasizing the youngster cannot be properly valued financially.
Did PSG acknowledge making this offer?
No, PSG has categorically denied making a €250m offer for Lamine Yamal through L’Equipe, questioning the financial feasibility of such a bid.
How many records has Yamal already broken at the international level?
Lamine became both the youngest player and the youngest goal scorer in the history of the Spanish national team, and was the youngest player to ever play in a major tournament final.
