Barcelona star Lamine Yamal was targeted by PSG with record bid to replace Kylian Mbappe, says Joan Laporta

Lamine Yamal has taken the football world by surprise and emerged as one of the sport’s brightest young stars at just 18, but his future could have been very different. As previously revealed FC Barcelona president Johannes Laporta, Paris Saint-Germain targeted the Spanish wonderkid with a record-breaking bid to replace him Kylian Mbappe.

Back in 2024, PSG were dealing with a complicated situation involving Mbappé, who decided to leave on a free transfer after refusing to renew his contract. After his move to Real Madrid, and without the burden of the astronomical salaries once paid to Neymar, Lionel Messi and Mbappé, the Paris side turned its attention to one of the most exciting talents on the market.

At the presentation of his book “This is how we save Barça” on Monday, the door made a stunning revelation: “When PSG offered us 250 million euros for Lamine Yamal and we turned it down, he was 17 years old; I remember some people thought we were crazy.“

Currently campaigning for re-election BarcelonaLaporta added that despite the club’s difficult financial situation at the time, his priority was always to secure Yamal’s future at the club. “For us he has always been untouchable,he added.

PSG is the club responsible for the two most expensive signings in football history: Neymar’s €222 million transfer from Barcelona and Mbappé’s €180 million transfer from AS Monaco. Had Yamal’s transfer been completed, the Spaniard would have become both the youngest and most expensive player in the history of the sport.

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In November 2024, Laporta advisor Enric Masip, speaking to El Cafelito on La Sexta, revealed that the club had received a huge bid for Yamal and hinted at the bidder: “The chairman (La porta) already said that he had received an offer of 250 million euros that he turned down – that he had never even thought about it. If you have money and can afford it, you can try to sign someone.he concluded, before Laporta himself now confirmed that PSG was the club.

The evolution of Lamine Yamal since then

Taking into account the timelines provided by Laporta, Yamal’s offer most likely came shortly after he turned 17. in the middle of Euro 2024, a tournament in which he would become one of Spain’s breakout stars on his way to the title. PSG failed to sign him and the youngster has continued to prove Laporta right ever since.

In the 2024-2025 season, Yamal secured his place in Barcelona’s first team under coach Hansi Flick. winning the Spanish Super Cup, the Copa del Rey and La Liga. Having recently signed a contract extension until June 2031, the now 18-year-old current Transfer market rating has increased to €200 millionputting him at the top alongside Mbappé and Erling Haaland.