Few players are more interesting to watch than Lamine Yamal, who is exploring his footballing abilities this season.
Yamal is exploding, he is now a regular starter at Barcelona this season. For that, Barca fans have Xavi Hernandez to thank.
According to MD, it was his intervention that made the difference when Lamine Yamal was courted by Paris Saint-Germain. President Joan Laporta publicly said he had turned down a €250 million offer earlier this year, but the 17-year-old never came close to going to the Parc des Princes this summer.
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However, the previous year, before Lamine Yamal turned 16 and signed his first professional contract, PSG turned his head with a big offer. Xavi spoke with Lamine Yamal and explained to him that if what motivated him was to stay at Barcelona, then he would make sure he made his debut for the first team. In exchange, he would have to sign his first professional contract with the club, which he did two summers ago.
Agent Ivan de la Pena also did his part to ensure that Lamine Yamal remained at the club, and it is noted, in quotes, that it was only after this that his current representative Jorge Mendes “convinced” the teenager's parents to sign with him.
Mendes has a strong relationship with Barcelona and Laporta, but so does PSG and their sporting director Luis Campos. Ultimately, as an agent, it is in his best interest for his clients to move, as he will often receive a percentage. For a while at least, it appears that Barcelona have now locked down Lamine Yamal.
