Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Barcelona president Joan Laporta reveals €250m Lamine Yamal offer was turned down this summer

sportsmole.co.uk, 17 October 2024, 23:14
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed he rejected a mammoth €250m (£208m) bid for Lamine Yamal from Paris Saint-Germain over the summer.

Yamal was the headline star of Euro 2024, playing an integral part of Spain's success, as they edged out England to glory in the final in Berlin.

The 17-year-old won Young Player of the Tournament, and scored the Goal of the Tournament, with his astonishing curling strike against France in the semi-final.

Four assists at the finals was also the joint-most by any player at a European Championship, as Yamal built on his impressive debut season at Barcelona.

With 12 goal involvements for club and country so far already, Yamal has picked up where he left off in the summer too, making a fine start under new manager Hansi Flick.

Laporta confirms eye-watering Yamal bid

After losing Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid, PSG were linked with big-money moves in order to plug that gap.

In what has become a new approach though, the French champions are targeting younger players, as opposed to ready-made superstars as they have done in the past.

However, Barcelona rejected their advances, confirmed by Laporta, when speaking to club media on Thursday.

"We received a bid worth €250m (£208m) for Lamine Yamal and we turned it down," Laporta revealed.

"We didn't want to [sell] because we thought we had to keep the team. I think we haven't made a mistake. Flick is getting a lot out of many of these players."

Laporta continued: "[Ilkay] Gundogan has left but [Dani] Olmo has come. There are players who are performing better, like Raphinha or [Robert] Lewandowski. We are happy. But those who want to stay will stay at Barça."

Laporta issues hand-off warning to PSG?

Further statements from Laporta would appear to put PSG off from re-entering the market for Yamal in the future, claiming that Barcelona will do whatever is possible to keep them as strong as possible on the field.

"There are those who think [selling players] have been done to balance the finances, but that's not the case. The sale of players we have made has been for sporting reasons." Laporta stated.

PSG have already broke the world transfer fee on a Barcelona player before, when they bought Neymar in 2016 for €222m (£185m), so it shows how crucial Yamal is to the La Liga that they passed up on receiving yet another record fee this summer.

The Ligue 1 champions did spend heavily elsewhere over the summer, but not on direct replacements for Mbappe, as the current preferred front three of Randal Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola were already at the club.

Top News

22 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that Wednesday's Champions League clash with Sparta Prague at the Etihad Stadium could be a "perfect game" for Nathan Ake to make his return to Pep Guardiola's side. 22 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With all eyes fixed on the January transfer market, clubs around the UK and Europe are already lining up potential mid-season moves. 22 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After two defeats from three, Rangers must try to turn things around on Thursday evening, as they host Romanian champions FCSB in the Europa League. 22 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cardiff vs. Portsmouth (Tuesday, 7.45pm) Cardiff City and Portsmouth will both be targeting back-to-back victories when they face off in Tuesday's clash at the Cardiff City Stadium. 22 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk AC Milan vs. Brugge (Tuesday, 5.45pm) After losing their first two matches, AC Milan will try to revive an ailing Champions League campaign on Tuesday, when they welcome Club Brugge to San Siro. 22 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Making their second successive appearance in the semi-finals of the Copa Sudamericana, Corinthians host Racing Club in the opening leg of that tie on Thursday at Arena Corinthians. 22 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly prepared to launch a move to sign Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo in the January transfer window. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich are reportedly prepared to rival Paris Saint-Germain for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayer Leverkusen have reportedly resigned themselves to losing Xabi Alonso in 2025 amid rumours that he is being lined up as Pep Guardiola's replacement at Manchester City. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have provided a positive update on Leny Yoro's injury recovery. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Crossing paths almost five months on from their memorable meeting in the 2023-24 Champions League final, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund reunite in Tuesday's league phase battle at the Bernabeu. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Meeting for the fifth time in the Champions League, Arsenal and Shakhtar Donetsk lock horns on Tuesday evening in the league phase of the 2024-25 edition at the Emirates. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to enjoy a sixth straight home victory in the second tier, Blackburn Rovers will welcome fellow promotion chasers West Bromwich Albion to Ewood Park on Wednesday night for a Championship clash. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United summer signing Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly prepared to return to Italy in the January transfer window. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In the third game of their Europa League campaign, Turkish Super Lig leaders Galatasaray are set to host Swedish side Elfsborg at Rams Park on Wednesday. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Portuguese side Braga will be looking for their second win in the league phase of the Europa League when they host Norwegian team Bodo/Glimt on Wednesday in their third game of the tournament at Estadio Municipal de Braga. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sporting Lisbon president Frederico Varandas has refused to rule out a January exit for Viktor Gyokeres amid reported interest from Arsenal. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to avoid three straight defeats in the second tier, Hull City will welcome Premier League-chasing Burnley to the MKM Stadium for a Championship battle on Wednesday night. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will welcome Bayern Munich to the Olympic Stadium in the Champions League in a heavyweight encounter on Wednesday night. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has heaped praise on Jose Mourinho ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash with Fenerbahce. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to record back-to-back wins for the second time this season, Luton Town will host early pacesetters Sunderland at Kenilworth Road for a Championship clash on Wednesday night. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has suggested that Pep Guardiola must address "severe issues" with the Citizens midfield as he continues to "find a new identity" in the central area of his team. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Benfica and Feyenoord will look to continue their fine recent form when they lock horns at the Estadio da Luz in the Champions League on Wednesday. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal take on Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, and the game could be the perfect opportunity for Gabriel Jesus to kickstart a faltering Gunners career. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to earn their first win in four second-tier matches, Millwall will welcome a struggling Plymouth Argyle outfit to The Den on Wednesday night in the Championship. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In arguably the standout tie on matchday three of the Champions League, Bayern Munich make the trip to Catalonia to face Barcelona on Wednesday night. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk As one of the greatest goalscorers of his generation, Robert Lewandowski's career highlights are largely attributed to his time at Bayern Munich. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides boasting contrasting Champions League records collide at the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night, when German giants RB Leipzig host six-time European Cup winners Liverpool. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala is reportedly eager to be fit in time to face Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday. 21 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Dani Olmo could all make their first starts since returning from injury when Barcelona host Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.