Barcelona director issues crucial update on the future of two La Masia gems

Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi have been the two biggest breakout stars for FC Barcelona this season. Despite being 16 and 17, respectively, the duo are well on their way to becoming permanent fixtures in the team.

Yamal made his senior debut towards the end of last season, aged just 15, and has completely taken off this campaign, becoming one of the best young talents in the game.

As for Cubarsi, he had to wait for his breakthrough until January this year and has not looked back since, going through some difficult matches with great ease and maturity that belies his age.

Yamal, Cubarsi’s futures secure says Deco

Given their explosion this season, Lamine Yama and Pau Cubarsi are already attracting interest from top clubs across Europe.

Yamal is allegedly on the radars of PSG as a possible replacement for Kylian Mbappe. At the same time, they also scouted Cubarsi, who also happens to be attracting interest from some Premier League heavyweights.

Pau Cubarsi is enjoying a fine breakthrough year at Barça. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Both Yamal and Cubarsi have contracts that run until 2026, but Barcelona sporting director Deco reassured that the La Masia duo’s future is taken care of.

“We’ve everything on track for Lamine Yamal’s future. It’s the same planning with Pau Cubarsi,” Deco said in a recent interview, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

What are the plans?

Yamal signed his first professional contract with Barcelona in 2023, after he turned 16 years old. As per regulations, he only signed a three-year deal until 2026, as he is still a minor.

But, Barça are understood to have a pact with the teenager and his entourage, led by superagent Jorge Mendes, to extend his contract until 2030 as soon as he turns 18 years old.

As for Cubarsi, his recent explosion has led to the Blaugrana contacting his representatives to discuss the possibility of improving his contract once he turns 18.

After all, the 17-year-old’s current deal, whic runs until 2026, has a meagre €10 million release clause – something that the club wish to address, along with an improvement in wages.