Qatar have reportedly offered Yacine Abed and his family a lucrative package as they attempt to convince the 16-year-old Algeria prospect to pursue naturalisation and eventually represent their national team.
Abed came to prominence at the CAN U17 in May and became the subject of controversy in September when he left Algeria’s training camp to join Al-Ahli SC.
According to reports, including from Competition, the move was connected to a potential naturalisation process. Qatar are understood to be monitoring the young winger with a view to incorporating him into their senior side in the future.
Paradou, the club that developed Abed and holds his rights until 2029, publicly alleged that international rules governing the transfer of players under the age of 18 had been breached. The club also referred the matter to FIFA.
Abed subsequently returned to Algiers, although that is now regarded as a temporary measure intended to ease tensions rather than the end of the proposed move. La Gazette du Fennec reports that the transfer process remains active and could lead to the player receiving Qatari nationality.
The situation has also highlighted Paradou’s limited contractual protection. Abed does not have a formal professional contract with the club and instead is believed to be tied to it only by an aspirant agreement.
As a result, Paradou may not receive any financial compensation if the player changes clubs.
Reported terms of the offer
Competition previously reported that accommodation and a more comfortable lifestyle in Qatar had been offered to Abed’s family.
La Gazette du Fennec says his father has agreed to relocate to the Gulf state, with a payment of 1m euros included in the arrangement. He is also reportedly set to receive a salaried position worth 5,000 euros per month, while Abed’s brother would have his education fully funded.
The player himself is said to have been offered a monthly salary of 35,000 euros, with the figure increasing over time. The proposed agreement would also reportedly prevent him from moving to Europe during the first few years after signing.
A further bonus would be payable if Abed completes the naturalisation process. Despite the reported offer, he would still have the choice of representing either Algeria - known as the Fennecs - or Bordeaux.
Qatar have previously secured the services of other Algerian prospects, including Karim Boudiaf, Boualem Khoukhi, Abdessamed Bounacer and Mohamed-Rafik Omar.