Arsenal have reportedly contacted Barcelona star Ansu Fati’s representatives as they brace themselves up for a potential summer move for the talented youngster. Fati overcame a string of setbacks prior to this season, including a serious knee injury he sustained in 2020 that required a 10-month absence from play.
The 20-year-old inherited Barcelona legend Lionel Messi’s famous number 10 shirt after he left for PSG in 2021, but Fati has been far from Messi-sque in that jersey. Since his return from knee injury, finding consistent game time has been challenging for him. Fati has only made one start in the Champions League and has started just seven games in La Liga.
Fati disappointed with lack of gametime as Arsenal receive major boost in their pursuit
According to Spanish outlet Sport, Fati would have anticipated playing more this season for the Catalans given his importance to the club. However, he has fallen behind Ousmane Dembele in the pecking order, though, as Barcelona manager Xavi frequently chooses to play two strikers. Xavi has favoured summer signing Raphinha to start in an advanced role even with Dembele’s recent injury absence, and he introduced Fati only for an 11-minute cameo in Barca’s 3-0 victory over Sevilla on Sunday.
As a result, the Spain international is ready to re-evaluate his options with Fabrizio Romano claiming that Premier League heavyweights Manchester United have ‘excellent links’ to Fati’s agent, although there haven’t yet been any discussions between the two clubs or agents. Arsenal now seems to be competing to sign the Spain international, with the Gunners having already approached Fati’s agents, who indeed are his relatives.
However, Arsenal, like United, haven’t made an official offer as of yet. Given Xavi’s switch to a different system this season, Fati is reportedly worried about his role in the team and is hence open to leave Barcelona. A La Masia graduate, the Catalans have pinned all their hopes on Fati to lead them into the new era post Messi’s departure. The club even tied him down to a long term contract which runs till the summer of 2027 and has a stunning €1 billion release clause.
Arsenal are well aware that negotiations are probably going to be challenging since Barcelona do not want to sell the forward and he still has good four-and-a-half-years to run down on his deal, which means a triple-figure fee will be demanded by his current employers if all they agree to let him go. Moreover, Barca’s reeling financial situation is also another leverage that they can use to churn our a lucrative fee for Fati.
The Gunners however have already taken the first step in contacting the striker’s agents. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is keen on adding attacking options to his frontline after only Leandro Trossard was acquired from Brighton in January. Fati, a veteran of 89 games at Camp Nou notching 25 goals and 9 assists fits the north Londoners’ newly developed recruiting strategy where they have emphasised on buying young talents. However, their pursuit of Fati is far from easy and no devoid of competition if he is put on the market.