Barcelona president opens up on Lamine Yamal’s contract renewal – ‘Everything is positive’ | OneFootball

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that everything is on track for Lamine Yamal to sign his new contract this July, once he turns 18.

Speaking in an interview with TV3 (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Laporta expressed full confidence that the renewal will go smoothly, calling the young winger “exceptional” and insisting that Yamal is happy at the club.

“We’re working on this signing. It will go well. He’s a special player and feels at home at Barça,” said Laporta, who made it clear that the club is handling the situation with great care and patience.

Laporta stressed that a player like Yamal, who has had such a rapid rise, deserves a unique kind of support and recognition from the club.

“The transfer fee has to match the player’s value to the team, no matter how young he is. A talent like Lamine, who has exploded the way he has, has to be treated in a special way,” he explained.

Yamal to be given the Messi-type treatment

Lamine Yamal will sign a new contract with Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Laporta also revealed that Barcelona are planning a long-term strategy with Yamal, similar to how the club managed Lionel Messi’s early years.

“We want him here for many years. So far, there have been no issues with his team. Everything is positive, and we believe it will end well,” he said.

Drawing comparisons with the club’s greatest ever player, Laporta said,

“With Messi, we structured his bonuses so he remained highly motivated, and we won everything. In Lamine’s case, the emotional aspect is key, as we have to make him feel important and valued.”

He added that Yamal’s deep ties to the club give Barcelona an advantage. “Barça is the best club he can be at. He’s Catalan, a Barça fan… he identifies with them and is well advised,” he concluded.