Barcelona star Ansu Fati open to leaving Camp Nou this summer
Barcelona are eager to offload Ansu Fati before the window closes and have welcomed approaches from both Tottenham and Chelsea, according to reports. The 20-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Camp Nou under Xavi and now even finds himself behind 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, though he was still expected to resist a transfer and try to fight for his place in the team.
That stance is now believed to have shifted, with Fati open to exploring an exit in the final days of the transfer window as he looks to secure more regular playing time. Chelsea, Spurs and Borussia Dortmund have all been alerted to his potential availability and have made contact with Barca.
Talks progressing quickly between Barcelona and potential suitors
Talks will need to progress quickly, however, with the transfer window slamming shut on Friday, but that is exactly what is happening with AS reporting that negotiations are advancing. At the moment, all options are open in terms of Fati leaving on loan or even on a permanent transfer – though Barca would prefer the former and still feel he can have a future in Catalonia.
Should the deal be a season-long loan, both Chelsea and Spurs would want to include a buy option – or even an obligation – as part of the agreement. According to AS, it is Tottenham who are currently best positioned to sign Fati while Fabrizio Romano is also reporting that the north Londoners have moved ahead of Chelsea.
Chelsea yet to make formal bid for Fati
The Blues have yet to make a formal bid despite their interest and Fati’s salary – which Barca are adamant must be covered in full by the loan club – is a potential stumbling block. Spurs have a good relationship with Barca’s hierarchy, signing Clement Lenglet on loan last season, while they also recently faced off in a pre-season friendly.
For a long time, Fati had been extremely reluctant to leave Barca but has been persuaded to consider a move by his father and entourage – which includes super agent Jorge Mendes. The youngster has not started any of Barca’s three La Liga matches so far this season, though was subbed on late on in each, with the likes of Yamal, Gavi and Raphinha all preferred on the flanks.
Fati’s father wants him to find success elsewhere
‘If it was up to me, I would take him [to another team] but [Ansu] wants to stay at Barcelona,’ Fati’s dad told radio station Cope back in March. ‘He does not want to sign for another club, but I want to see him succeed. As a dad, I am angry. Seeing Ansu play so little winds you up a little bit and sometimes I think as a father, not a coach.’
The potential exit of Fati could open the door for Barcelona to bring in Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid as they look to strengthen their attack. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.