Barcelona have reportedly slapped a whopping £355 million price tag on wonderkid Ansu Fati, who has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United.
According to an exclusive report from the Express, Manchester United have been told to pay up a world record transfer fee of £355 million by Barcelona if they want to sign teenage wonderkid Ansu Fati.
The 17-year-old Fati is a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy. Having broken into the first-team in the 2019-20 campaign, the youngster has gone onto establish himself as one of the most exciting youngsters in the game, with some sensational performances till date.
Fati became Barcelona’s second-youngest player when he made his debut against Real Betis in La Liga. He also became the youngest ever goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League when he netted a late winner against Inter Milan. In 25 matches across all competitions, the teenage sensation has produced a return of six goals and a solitary assist.
Fati’s exploits haven’t gone unnoticed as Borussia Dortmund are reportedly eyeing him as a potential replacement for the exit-bound Jadon Sancho. At the same time, Manchester United are also planning a swoop for the 17-year-old forward.
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remains keen on bolstering his attacking contingent ahead of the next season. The club, over the past months, have been linked with a host of top players such as Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish, James Maddison. Fati, too, has emerged as a target for the 20-time English champions after his breakthrough year at Camp Nou.
In fact, if reports are to be believed the Red Devils have already had a €100 million (£85 million) bid rejected by Barcelona for the youngster. Having been rebuffed by the Catalans the first time out, Manchester United are willing to offer as much as £135 million for Fati.
Barcelona though, have no intentions of entering negotiations, irrespective of the transfer fee being offered and have told the only Manchester United could sign the prodigy is by matching the buyout clause in his contract, which stands at a mind-boggling £355 million. Should the clause be met, Fati would become the world’s most expensive footballer.
Fati is currently contracted with Barcelona till the summer of 2022, with the club retaining the option of extending by a couple more years. There have been talks of the La Liga champions wanting to hand the prodigy a new and improved five-year deal. Considering the interest he is generating, Barcelona would be well-served to expedite the process.
As far as Manchester United’s interest in the teenage attacker is concerned, it is nigh on impossible that they will shell out £355 million on the youngster. More so, considering the prevailing financial situation following the coronavirus crisis.
