Spanish prodigy Ansu Fati has asserted that he has no intention of ever leaving Barcelona amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain.
In a recent interview with French outlet Canal+, Ansu Fati spoke about various topics including his long-term future. And the Spanish prodigy has insisted that he wants to stay put at FC Barcelona for life amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain over a move in the summer transfer window.
Ansu Fati joined Barcelona’s famed academy La Masia from Sevilla in 2012, aged ten. And after progressing through the ranks swiftly at the Catalan club, the teenage prodigy made his first-team debut for Barcelona in August 2019, becoming their second-youngest debutant at 16 years and 298 days.
Fati enjoyed an excellent 2019/20 campaign, gradually growing in stature and making over 30 appearances for the Barcelona first team. But the 19-year-old has since endured a frustrating spell, with injuries stunting his progress considerably, and he managed only 14 outings this past season.
Despite another injury-riddled campaign, the Catalan giants view Fati as the long-term successor to Lionel Messi at Camp Nou. Fati’s rising stature at FC Barcelona is also reflected in the links with several high profile clubs across Europe. The Spanish international famously rejected Liverpool and Manchester United before signing a new contract with Barcelona last year.
Ansu Fati: "PSG's interest in signing me? I didn't even hear about offers from other teams. From the first moment I told my agent that I only wanted to stay at Barcelona. I want to play for Barça all my life." pic.twitter.com/RvWOf3jGpC
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) May 29, 2022
Fati has been vocal in his praise of the effect Xavi Hernandez has had at FC Barcelona despite their inconsistencies this past season. And the 19-year-old has now reaffirmed his loyalty to the Blaugrana in an interview with Canal+, suggesting the links with PSG do not faze him.
“Are PSG interested in signing me? I really don’t know. These are things that my agent and my parents deal with. From the beginning I told my agent and my father what my objective was, which was to stay at the club. In my head I have it clear, yes, I hope I can have my whole career here.”
Fati then spoke about the honour of succeeding Lionel Messi in donning the famous no. 10 shirt for Barcelona. “The club called me and told me the proposal they had, that they wanted to give me that number. The club told me that the captains accepted it and for me it’s an honour. If you are at Barca you have to be ready for everything. Leo [Messi] has given a lot to Barca and to see him at another club, nobody likes that. I hope everything goes well for him.”
Fati seems committed to Barcelona, and he could be the long-sought solution in the final third if he manages to put his injury woes behind him next season. The 19-year-old will also be desperate to overcome his fitness issues, especially with 2022 being a World Cup year.
