Barcelona’s Ansu Fati had turned up to be an alternative for Jadon Sancho for Manchester United, but a €100 million bid was rejected by the Catalan giants.
According to a report published by SPORT, Barcelona had received a €100 million bid for Ansu Fati from Manchester United, but it was swiftly rejected by the board, who have no intention of selling the youngster.
The 17-year-old has the world at his feet after receiving his first call-up for the senior team after Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele were all declared unfit early in the season. Fati has since become the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history in the league, and also the youngest scorer in the history of the UEFA Champions League with his winner against Inter Milan, aged 17 years and 40 days.
Fati has played 16 games so far in the league, and has registered four goals and one assist. He has been relied upon to serve as the deputy to the likes of Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Suarez and has lived up to the expectations. The Spaniard oozes confidence with every touch of the ball and has already attracted suitors from all over the continent, with Borussia Dortmund also ready to bring him in.
However, Barcelona are not ready to let the teenage sensation leave Camp Nou, especially when he is their best chance to overturn the reputation La Masia has earned over the course of the last decade or so. However, his situation at the club might get complicated now that Suarez back from injury, and with Martin Braithwaite reported to be in peak fitness.
Manchester United were ready to make the best use of this situation with the help of the all-powerful agent Jorge Mendes, who tried to squeeze a humongous deal for Fati from the Premier League giants. But, their €100 million offer was rejected after reconsideration from the Barcelona board.
The right wing spot has been problematic for the Red Devils for several years now. They have tried to fill it with makeshift players in the form of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Daniel James and Jesse Lingard among others, but to no fruitful result. However, with Jadon Sancho on the lookout for a new team, Manchester United have emerged as front-runners.
That said, it will still be difficult to secure the services of Sancho, who is courted by several top clubs across Europe. Manchester United will have to break the bank for him, but it is a risk they have to and should take.
As for Ansu Fati, he is likely to be promoted to the first-team permanently, which would mean a bumper new contract including a new hefty million release clause. However, betting on Fati could mean one of Dembele or Griezmann will have to be sold by Barcelona. Manchester United, meanwhile, must concentrate their efforts on Sancho now.
