€250m offer for Lamine Yamal turned down

October 18, 2024Ligue 1

Joan Laporta immediately refused a world record bid for Lamine Yamal last summer. Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images

Although he’s just 17 years of age, it’s believed that Paris Saint-Germain made a world record €250m bid for Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal this summer, which was immediately turned down by president, Joan Laporta.

Speaking to Barca One, the club’s official in-house channel, Laporta was forthright in his explanation as to how and why the Blaugranes held firm despite what would have been an incredible cash injection into a club that a few years ago were over a billion euros in debt (ESPN).

Joan Laporta rejected a world record bid for Lamine Yamal

“They (PSG) came to buy Lamine from me for €250 million and I said no six months ago,” he said.

“He is the most popular player in the world. What is Lamine’s real value? Well, that is not reflected in the book value.”

It’s believed that the French giants had tried to attempt to prise the teenager in order to give their fans something to shout about after losing Kylian Mbappe to Barca’s rivals, Real Madrid.

Joan Laporta wouldn’t accept a €250m bid from PSG for Lamine Yamal. Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

Rather than cashing in, Barcelona actually want to extend the youngster’s contract.

It’s clear that, injuries permitting, Lamine will be the next footballing superstar, though it’s unfair to label him as the ‘new Messi.’

That moniker was bandied around like confetti when Ansu Fati burst onto the scene, and just a handful of seasons later, after a serious injury, the player is nothing like he was previously.