Barcelona’s prodigy Lamine Yamal has taken the footballing world by storm, dazzling fans and pundits with his breathtaking performances for both club and country. At just 18 years old, he has already won La Liga with Barcelona and lifted the European Championship with Spain, establishing himself as one of the brightest stars of the next generation. His rise has even placed him among the leading contenders for the Ballon d’Or, a rare feat for someone so young.
But what many fans may not know is just how close Yamal came to leaving Barcelona in 2022—for a fee that now looks like a footballing bargain. German giants Bayern Munich were reportedly on the verge of snapping up the teenager for just £4.3 million, a figure that would have gone down as one of the great transfer coups of modern football.
Bayern’s Bold Attempt
According to reports from German journalist Christian Falk of BILD, Bayern Munich made a serious push for Yamal when he was still only 14. Their sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić and technical director Marco Neppe even traveled to Spain to open discussions with his then-agent, former Barcelona midfielder Iván de la Peña.
The plan was ambitious: secure Yamal’s signature early, and allow him to make the switch to Bavaria officially when he turned 16 in July 2023. Bayern, long known for their ability to spot and develop young talent, believed they had the inside track on signing a generational prospect before the rest of Europe could make their move.
The Jorge Mendes Factor
Just when talks seemed to be progressing, everything changed. Yamal switched representatives, joining the powerful stable of Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes. Mendes, who manages stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix, reportedly asked for a fee in the region of £4.3 million to complete the deal.
For Bayern, that request proved to be a stumbling block. While the Bavarians have never been shy about spending big on proven talent, committing millions to a teenager who had yet to make a senior appearance seemed too great a risk. Negotiations stalled, and ultimately the German champions backed away from the deal.
Barcelona’s Lucky Break
Barcelona, meanwhile, breathed a huge sigh of relief. The club was in the midst of financial turmoil at the time, losing stars like Lionel Messi and struggling to balance the books. The possibility of losing Yamal—a player hailed within La Masia as a once-in-a-generation talent—would have been a devastating blow to the club’s long-term future.
Instead, Yamal stayed. Just two years later, he has already become a cornerstone of Xavi Hernández’s side. His dribbling, vision, and composure on the ball have drawn comparisons to Messi, while his maturity and work ethic continue to impress coaches and teammates alike.
From Near Departure to Ballon d’Or Contender
Fast forward to 2025, and Yamal is no longer simply a promising academy graduate. He is a European champion with Spain, a La Liga winner with Barcelona, and now a genuine Ballon d’Or contender. His performances at Euro 2024, where he played a decisive role in guiding Spain to glory, cemented his status as one of the game’s elite young players.
For Bayern Munich, the missed opportunity is a painful reminder of how quickly football fortunes can change. For Barcelona, it is a stroke of luck that could shape the next decade of their history. Instead of losing him for a cut-price fee, the Catalan giants have in their hands a player who could define an era.
Conclusion
Football is often defined by sliding doors moments, and Lamine Yamal’s near transfer to Bayern Munich is one of them. Had the move gone through, Barcelona might have lost their new superstar before he ever graced the Camp Nou pitch. Instead, Yamal has remained in Catalonia, delighting fans and ensuring that the future looks brighter than ever for a club that has endured its fair share of turbulence.
Today, as he stands on the brink of global superstardom, one thing is clear: Barcelona’s golden boy almost slipped away, but fate—and perhaps Jorge Mendes’s price tag—kept him where he belongs.