Manchester United reportedly made an enquiry with super-agent Jorge Mendes over the potential availability of Barcelona wonderkid Ansu Fati.
According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, Manchester United asked questions about the situation of Barcelona prodigy Ansu Fati to super-agent Jorge Mendes while negotiating a deal for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester United secured the sensational signing of Ronaldo from Juventus late in the summer transfer window. The Portuguese superstar returned to Old Trafford 12 years after having left for Real Madrid, with his agent, Mendes, playing a pivotal role in the move materialising.
And, it has now emerged that while Manchester United were thrashing out a deal for Ronaldo, the club also broached the subject of a certain Barcelona prodigy named Ansu Fati. Widely regarded as one of the most gifted youngsters to have come out of La Masia in recent years, the teenage attacker burst onto the scenes during the 2019/20 season.
In a short time, Fati became a household name, establishing himself as a regular starter for the Catalan giants while he soon broke into the Spanish national team as well. A serious injury sustained last year meant that he missed almost the entirety of the 2020/21 campaign, but his stock has hardly diminished.
The 18-year-old is in the final year of his contract with Barcelona, although the club do retain the option of extending it by a couple of years. Nonetheless, his situation has piqued the interest of several clubs, with Liverpool showing an interest in Fati, who is also said to have been offered to Manchester City.
Now, it has emerged that Manchester United, too, have been sniffing around the Barcelona wunderkind’s situation. Indeed, the Red Devils are said to have enquired about Fati to Jorge Mendes. Manchester United have significantly strengthened their attack in the wide areas over the past year, having signed the likes of Facundo Pellistri, Amad Diallo and more recently, Jadon Sancho.
With Mason Greenwood starting to flourish, Marcus Rashford on the books as well and the likes of Anthony Elanga coming through the ranks, the Manchester United attack looks in a healthy condition. However, the chance to sign a generational talent like Fati, should he become available, would be too appealing to turn down.
The report, though, insists that Fati has no desire to leave Barcelona currently and has made it clear to the club that he wishes to continue at Camp Nou and help them achieve success. Talks over a new deal are likely as well. So, Manchester United and his other suitors could be headed for disappointment.
