Barcelona forward Ansu Fati has reportedly made it known that he intends to leave the club during this summer transfer window.
Despite being highly regarded, the 20-year-old has found himself on the fringes of the squad at Camp Nou. This trend seems set to continue, following his limited involvement in the team’s first match of the season.
During Barcelona’s recent goalless draw against Getafe, Fati was introduced as a substitute after both Abde Ezzalzouli and the 16-year-old Lamine Yamal. This situation has prompted Fati to seek opportunities elsewhere, where he can secure regular playing time.
According to Spanish publication AS, the club manager Xavi lacks confidence in Fati’s ability to take on a more significant role within the team. Consequently, he has requested additional attacking reinforcements during this transfer window.
Earlier in the summer, Xavi advised Fati that leaving the club might be the best decision for his career. However, the young player initially chose to stay and fight for his place in the team.
After being given only ten minutes of playing time in the team’s season opener, Fati has come to the realization that his prospects for reclaiming a prominent role under Xavi are slim. As a result, he has decided to pursue a move away from Barcelona.
Ansu Fati burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old during the 2019-20 season, quickly gaining attention as a rising star. Unfortunately, his progress has been hindered by significant injuries since then.
Regarded as the next big talent from Barcelona’s La Masia academy, Fati was even entrusted with the iconic number 10 shirt following Lionel Messi’s departure.
While Fati enjoyed a largely injury-free campaign last season, he struggled to secure a regular spot in the starting lineup. The emergence of young talents like Pedri and Gavi, along with the arrival of Raphinha, has further pushed him down the pecking order at the club. Despite this setback, Fati continues to represent Spain at the international level.
Contrary to certain reports, AS states that Atletico Madrid has not expressed interest in signing Fati, nor have they made any contact regarding a potential deal. However, several top clubs across Europe, including those from the Premier League, have shown interest in acquiring the talented young winger.
According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur are rumored to be among the English clubs keen on securing Fati’s services.
Fati’s potential departure would follow Ousmane Dembele’s move to Paris Saint-Germain, making him another high-profile exit from Barcelona this summer.