Manchester City and Liverpool are reportedly both keeping a close eye on Lamine Yamal's situation at Barcelona in the event that the 17-year-old becomes available due to the Catalan outfit's financial problems.
Yamal is already one of the best players in world football despite the fact that he will not be 18 for another three months.
The Spain international has a record of 20 goals and 26 assists in 93 appearances for Barcelona, including 13 goals and 19 assists in 42 outings in all competitions during the 2024-25 season.
Yamal's existing deal with the Catalan team is due to expire in June 2026, and according to Mundo Deportivo, Man City and Liverpool are keeping a close eye on his situation at Camp Nou.
The report claims that the teenager's priority is to sign a new deal at Barcelona, but the two Premier League giants are monitoring developments in the event that he becomes available in what would be a spectacular move.
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Man City, Liverpool 'monitoring Yamal developments'
It is incredibly unlikely that Barcelona will allow themselves to enter a position where a Yamal exit is possible, with the club expected to be in a more solid financial standing during this summer's transfer window.
Earlier this year, Yamal called Barcelona 'the club of his life' and revealed that he would sign a new deal.
"I don't know exactly when the contract will be signed, but I think it'll happen soon. Barca is the club of my life, I hope to renew and stay as long as possible. I want to play in La Liga and Barca. Yes, I'm going to renew my contract," he told CNN Sports.
Yamal is also believed to be a dream target for Paris Saint-Germain, with the French giants thought to be willing to pay a world-record fee for his services, but there is not thought to be an amount in the world that would convince Barcelona to sell.
As a result, Man City and Liverpool are likely to find themselves frustrated in pursuit of the Spaniard, who made his first-team debut for Barcelona at the age of 15 in 2023.
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Teenage superstar Yamal is a generational talent
Players of Yamal's ilk do not come around often, and the fact that he is showing that level at the age of 17 is remarkable.
The forward's durability for a young player is also stunning, playing the full 90 minutes in six of Barcelona's last seven league matches, while he has only missed three La Liga games this term through injury.
There is not a club in world football that would not have a starting role for Yamal, including Man City and Liverpool, but it is highly unlikely that either will have the chance to sign the generational talent.
Matt Law
