Barcelona president Joan Laporta announced that the €250 million offer for Lamine Yamal was declined this summer

 

 €250 million offer for Lamine Yamal was declined this summer

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has disclosed that the club turned down a staggering €250 million (£208 million) offer from Paris Saint-Germain for Lamine Yamal this summer. 

Yamal was a standout performer at Euro 2024, playing a crucial role in Spain's success as they overcame England to win the final in Berlin. 

The 17-year-old earned the accolade of Young Player of the Tournament and scored the Goal of the Tournament with a stunning curling strike against France in the semi-finals. With four assists during the tournament, he shared the record for the most assists by any player in a European Championship. Yamal has continued his impressive form with 12 goal involvements for club and country so far and has made a solid start under new manager Hansi Flick.

After losing Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid, PSG was reportedly exploring significant moves to fill that void. However, the French champions have shifted their strategy to focus on younger talents instead of established superstars, as they have done in the past.

Laporta confirmed the rejection of PSG's advances while speaking to club media on Thursday: "We received a bid worth €250 million (£208 million) for Lamine Yamal, and we turned it down. We didn't want to sell because we believed in keeping the team strong. I think we haven't made a mistake. Flick is getting a lot out of many of these players."

He further noted, "Ilkay Gundogan has left, but Dani Olmo has joined. Some players are performing better, such as Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski. We are happy. Those who want to stay will remain at Barça."

Laporta's comments also suggest a warning to PSG, indicating that Barcelona will do everything in their power to remain competitive. "Some think that selling players was done to balance the finances, but that's not the case. The sales we have made have been for sporting reasons," he stated.

PSG has previously set a world transfer record for a Barcelona player when they acquired Neymar in 2016 for €222 million (£185 million). This illustrates the significance of Yamal to La Liga, as the club declined yet another record fee this summer. Although the Ligue 1 champions spent heavily in other areas during the summer, they did not seek direct replacements for Mbappe, as their current preferred front three—Randal Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembele, and Bradley Barcola—were already at the club.