Barcelona prospect Hamza Abdelkarim ‘not in Flick’s attacking plans’ – Catalan report claims

Barcelona forward Hamza Abdelkarim has been left out of Hansi Flick’s attacking options for next season, according to a report in Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo, despite the Egyptian’s recent promotion from the club’s reserve side.

Abdelkarim joined Barcelona permanently from Al Ahly during the current summer transfer window, having impressed on loan with the club’s B team over the second half of last season.

The 20-year-old travelled to England as part of a 30-man Barcelona squad for the club’s pre-season training camp, as Flick prepares for his first campaign in charge at the Camp Nou.

However, Mundo Deportivo reported that Abdelkarim does not figure among the forwards being considered by the German coach as he reshapes his frontline.

Focus on new striker as Lewandowski successor

The Catalan daily set out Barcelona’s strategy to sign a new centre-forward, stating that the club’s priority target remains Argentina international Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid, who is being lined up to replace departing Poland striker Robert Lewandowski.

According to the report, Alvarez is viewed within the club as the first-choice option to lead the attack next season. Atletico Madrid, though, are said to have made clear they do not intend to sell the Argentinian during the current summer transfer window.

In parallel, Barcelona have identified France forward Elys Kuchta at Bournemouth as an alternative if a move for Alvarez cannot be completed.

Citing French newspaper L’Equipe, Mundo Deportivo said Bournemouth have already rejected two offers from Barcelona for Kuchta, with both bids reportedly falling short of €100m.

Internal options ahead of Abdelkarim

While outlining the club’s external transfer targets, Mundo Deportivo also listed several players Flick could use as centre-forwards if Barcelona are unable to secure a new specialist striker.

The newspaper suggested that Germany international Karim Adeyemi, signed this summer from Borussia Dortmund, could be deployed as a central striker under Flick.

Spain forward Ferran Torres and his international team-mate Dani Olmo were also mentioned as potential options in the No 9 role, along with highly rated winger Lamine Yamal.

Abdelkarim’s name did not appear among that group of possible solutions in attack, the report said, despite his strong displays for Barcelona’s reserve side last season.

Breakthrough year for Egyptian forward

Abdelkarim’s performances with Barcelona’s B team over the latter half of the previous campaign were described as “impressive”, and that form was credited in the report with helping him earn a place at the 2026 World Cup.

The Egyptian forward’s omission from Mundo Deportivo’s list of attacking options is therefore framed as a notable indication of where he currently stands in the hierarchy under Flick going into the new season.

The article did not suggest that Barcelona are planning to move Abdelkarim on, but rather that he is not viewed, at this stage, as one of the main candidates to fill the central attacking role for the first team in 2024-25.