Barcelona will be ready to sanction a loan departure of 20-year-old homegrown forward Ansu Fati in the ongoing transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Ansu Fati continues to face an uncertain future at FC Barcelona. The Blaugrana will prefer to cash in on the 20-year-old in the ongoing transfer window. And they are open to loaning him out to another club if a permanent departure does not materialise.
Ansu Fati is a native of Guinea-Bissau but spent his formative years in his Spain. The Spanish international turned out for Escuela Peloteros Sierra Sur and Herrera early in his youth career. But his stock in age-group football soared when he joined Sevilla in 2010, spending two years at the Andalusian club.
The 20-year-old got more eyeballs on himself after joining Barcelona’s famed La Masia division. And he rapidly rose through the ranks at the Catalan club before making his first-team debut as a 16-year-old in August 2019. But after enjoying a memorable debut campaign in 2019/20, his stature has plummeted.
Fitness issues have ravaged Fati’s progress, as he missed most of the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons. And being unavailable for large parts of those two campaigns has stunted his progress. So it was hardly surprising that he was a pale shadow of his best version last term, even though he turned out 51 times for Barcelona.
The 20-year-old is not an undisputed first-choice attacker for Xavi Hernandez and managed only 11 minutes against Getafe in Barcelona’s season-opening fixture. And heading into the final days of the summer transfer window, the youngster faces an uncertain future at the Catalan club.
The Spanish international does not have any shortage of high-profile suitors either, with PSG showing interest in him. But many, including Arsenal, have ruled out a summer move for the struggling homegrown forward. Meanwhile, Barcelona will look to offload him as they look to balance their books. But with a permanent exit unlikely, the Catalan giants are ready to sanction a loan exit.
Loaning Fati out can help Barcelona reserve the youngster’s valuation, considering they cannot recoup a high sum from his sale this summer. And the 20-year-old might fancy his prospects of reclaiming his spot in the Barcelona first team next season if he enjoys a solid 2023/24 campaign at his loan club. But it will be interesting to see if a move sees the light of day.
