Breaking the Bank: Joan Laporta Confirms PSG’s Mind-Blowing €250m Bid for Lamine Yamal

 

​In a revelation that has sent shockwaves through the global football community, former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has officially named the club that attempted to shatter the world transfer record for teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. Speaking on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the launch of his new book, “Així hem salvat el Barça” (This Is How We Saved Barça), Laporta confirmed that French giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) submitted a staggering €250 million offer to lure the youngster to the Parc des Princes. The bid, which came during the peak of Yamal’s meteoric rise at just 17 years old, represents the highest offer ever made for a footballer in the history of the sport—surpassing even the €222 million PSG paid for Neymar in 2017.

​The Details of the €250m Mega-Offer

​According to Laporta, the offer arrived at a time when PSG was desperately searching for a world-class replacement for Kylian Mbappe, who had departed for Real Madrid. The Parisians identified Yamal as the only player with the generational talent and marketing "X-factor" capable of filling the void left by the French captain.

​"When PSG offered us €250 million for Lamine Yamal and we rejected it, he was 17 years old; some people thought we were crazy," Laporta remarked during his book launch. He explained that despite Barcelona's well-documented financial struggles, the board viewed Yamal as "untouchable" and the cornerstone of the club’s future sporting project. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano added further context, noting that the official proposal was made in early 2024, just before Yamal’s historic performance at Euro 2024, where he led Spain to glory and was named the Young Player of the Tournament.

​Why Barcelona Said No: Beyond the Money

​For a club still navigating a complex financial recovery plan, turning down a quarter of a billion euros might seem illogical to outsiders. However, Laporta’s narrative focuses on the preservation of the La Masia identity. Selling Yamal would have balanced the books instantly, but it would have also signaled a lack of ambition to the fans and sponsors.

​By rejecting the bid, Barcelona sent a clear message to the footballing world: their "New Era" under manager Hansi Flick is not for sale. Since the rejection, Yamal’s value has only continued to climb. Now wearing the iconic number 9 shirt and recently finishing as a top contender for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, the 18-year-old has rewarded the club's faith by contributing double-digit goals and assists, keeping Barcelona at the top of the La Liga standings in 2026.

​The "Mbappe Effect" and PSG’s Desperation

​The revelation highlights the immense pressure PSG felt following Mbappe's exit. Having lost their most marketable star to their biggest continental rivals, the Qatar-owned club was willing to break the world record for a second time to maintain their status among Europe’s elite. Analysts suggest that PSG saw Yamal not just as a player, but as a long-term investment that would define the next decade of football.

​However, the rejection forced PSG to pivot toward other targets, while Barcelona solidified Yamal’s future by securing a long-term contract extension until 2031. This deal includes a €1 billion release clause, effectively putting an end to any future attempts by state-backed clubs to poach the young winger.

​Laporta’s Legacy and the March 2026 Elections

​This disclosure comes at a strategic time for Joan Laporta. Having recently concluded his second term as president, the 63-year-old is once again a favorite in the upcoming March 15, 2026, presidential elections. By highlighting his refusal to sell the club’s "crown jewel" despite the eye-watering sum, Laporta is positioning himself as the protector of the club’s soul and a leader who prioritizes sporting glory over short-term financial relief.

​His new book details the various "levers" and difficult decisions made during his tenure to save the club from bankruptcy. The "Lamine Case" is presented as the ultimate success story—proof that Barcelona can still compete with the financial might of the "oil clubs" through the strength of its youth academy.

​Conclusion: A New World Record Averted

​The €250 million bid for Lamine Yamal serves as a testament to the player's status as a global phenomenon. While Neymar’s move to Paris remains the official world record, the football world now knows that a new ceiling was nearly reached in 2024. For Barcelona fans, the revelation is a moment of pride; for PSG, it is a reminder of the one that got away. As Yamal continues to dominate the world stage in 2026, the decision to keep him looks more like a masterstroke with every passing match.