Barcelona’s talented young player Lamine Yamal almost joined Bayern Munich back in 2022 for a surprisingly small fee of €5 million. The deal was very close to being completed, but a last-minute change of plans kept the rising star in Spain.
The key turning point was Yamal’s decision to switch agents. This move, combined with a timely opportunity to join Barca’s first team, ultimately convinced him to continue his career with his childhood club, ending Bayern’s pursuit.
🤝 The Near Agreement
In 2022, Bayern’s sporting director at the time, Hasan Salihamidzic, met with Lamine Yamal’s former agent, Iván de la Peña. They successfully negotiated an agreement for the young player to move to Germany. Because Yamal was still a youth player, Bayern would only have needed to pay Barca a compensation fee of €5 million.
🔄 A Crucial Change of Agent
Just before the transfer could be finalized, Yamal made a significant career move by hiring the well-known agent Jorge Mendes to represent him. Mendes reviewed the proposed deal with Bayern and was not convinced it was the best path forward. As a result, he decided to cancel the agreement.
✨ The Path with Barca
Shortly after the deal with Bayern was called off, Yamal was given the chance to make his debut with Barca’s senior team. This opportunity to play at the highest level for his club was a major factor in his decision to stay. In the end, he chose to remain with the team, where he has since become an important player.
