Jorge Mendes in Barcelona to begin Yamal renewal talks

Barcelona's focus over the coming weeks will be centred on the boardroom as they work to tie down one of their brightest talents. Yamal's 18th birthday marks a key milestone, with the club expected to announce a new long-term deal for the winger.

In the same week that reports emerged claiming Yamal's camp had requested that he become the highest-paid player in the squad, Mendes was spotted in the Catalan capital.

According to Jijantes, the Portuguese agent held a lunch meeting with Yamal and those close to him to begin laying the foundations of the new agreement—during a season in which the teenager has not only been one of the club's standout performers, but one of the most exciting talents in world football.

Once the player's representatives have defined their proposal, Mendes is expected to meet with Deco and senior Barcelona officials to finalise the terms of the new contract.

Speaking earlier on Thursday to RAC1, Deco said that the negotiations were "on the right track" and reiterated the club's commitment to the player:

"Lamine's renewal is progressing well. He needs to experience his age, as hard as that may be, and he needs to be happy. For me, it's not about whether he's 17 or 26—the important thing is that football is fair and that he has a contract which reflects what he deserves. There's no better club for him than Barcelona."