LALIGA
Ansu Fati has no plans to leave Barcelona despite the club’s wishes to sell him
A number of clubs from across Europe would like to recruit the Barça winger, with the club keen to cash in.
There has arguably been more speculation surrounding the future of Ansu Fati than of any other Barcelona player in recent months. Most reports have suggested that the young winger is on his way out of Camp Nou, much against the wishes of the man who was once heralded as the heir to Lionel Messi’s throne.
Ansu Fati wants to stay at Barcelona
AS have learned that the 20-year-old is determined to stay put and become a key player for Xavi Hernández. On Tuesday, Fati, along with fellow youngsters Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde, had dinner with super agent Jorge Mendes, who discussed the trio’s respective contracts with Barça and wanted to hear their thoughts on how they saw their futures. For Fati, despite interest shown by a number of top European clubs, there is absolutely no doubt: he wants to stay at Barcelona.
Interest in Fati from across Europe
The forward’s father, Bori Fati, had already confirmed before the LaLiga win over Osasuna that his son’s intentions were to stay at Camp Nou. “Yes, I’m sure he’s going to stay, we’re very happy here”. Mendes received the same message from Ansu and relayed it to the club on Wednesday. The Portuguese has received several lucrative offers from interested parties across Europe for his client’s services but has not shared them with Barcelona. Fati, in any case, is convinced that he will return to top form next season with his considerable fitness issues behind him.
Barcelona’s Fati condundrum
The forward’s situation is similar to those of Frenkie de Jong and Jordi Alba, players the club tried and failed to move on last summer. Both refused to leave and have ultimately played key roles in Barça inevitable title victory this season. While Fati is seen by the club as yet another La Masía success story, their issues off the field mean that selling him is an attractive proposition from a financial perspective.
Could Messi’s possible return make life difficult for Fati?
While Barcelona may well still try to cash in on him in the summer, the Spanish international could also be unsettled by the potential return to Camp Nou of Lionel Messi. While Fati would surely have no problem handing back over the number 10 shirt to the Argentine, the relationship between the pair is thought to have soured after the youngster dropped Rodrigo Messi, Léo’s brother, as his agent in favour of Mendes.
In short, there appear to be plenty to take into consideration when it comes to Fati’s future, although not, seemingly, for the player himself, who has no plans to leave.