MX23RW : Friday, May 3 00:13:34| >> :120:4500:4500:

Ansu Fati 'holds crunch talks over Barcelona future'

Ansu Fati 'holds crunch talks over Barcelona future'
© Reuters
The father of Barcelona attacker Ansu Fati reportedly holds crunch talks with La Blaugrana to discuss his son's future.

The father of Barcelona attacker Ansu Fati has reportedly held crunch talks with the Blaugrana over his son's future.

The 20-year-old burst onto the scene with the Catalan giants as a teenager and was tipped by some to become the heir apparent to all-time top scorer Lionel Messi.

However, injuries have since had a devastating impact on Fati's progression, and he has seldom been used from the first whistle by Xavi in the current campaign.

Despite his recent fitness troubles, Barcelona tied the Spain international down to a new long-term deal until 2027 with a staggering €1bn (£880m) release clause a couple of years ago.

La Blaugrana also have the option to extend Fati's deal for another two years until the end of the 2028-29 season, but his lack of recent starts has fuelled speculation that he could make a swift exit from Catalonia.

Ansu Fati celebrates scoring for Barcelona on September 10, 2022© Reuters

With rumours circulating over a possible move to the Premier League, Sport claims that Fati's father Bori Fati recently met with club chiefs Jordi Cruyff and Mateu Alemany to discuss his son's next career move.

The meeting is said to have lasted for an hour, although it is unclear what plan of action - if any - was made, and Fati's agent Jorge Mendes is supposedly already putting the feelers out to Premier League clubs.

Manchester United have been the most strongly linked with a move for the 20-year-old, whose situation is also believed to have piqued the interest of Liverpool and Arsenal.

The report adds that Fati would give serious consideration to a move away if he remains a bit-part player for Barcelona, whose financial situation could also pressure them into a sale.

However, the Spaniard tried to put an end to speculation over his future last month, telling the media: "I'm under contract with Barcelona until June 2027 and I hope to stay here for many more years."

Ansu Fati celebrates scoring for Barcelona on August 21, 2022© Reuters

Fati's sentiment was echoed by Xavi, who hailed the youngster as an indispensable member of his squad, despite handing him just 11 starts across all competitions in the current campaign.

"Ansu Fati is non-transferable, like everyone in the squad right now. He's a very important player. I have tremendous hope," the Barca boss told a press conference.

"We expect a lot from him, I have blind confidence in him. I have it with everyone. We have been shaping the squad based on what I have wanted."

Fati has scored 25 goals and set up nine more in 96 appearances for Barcelona across all competitions, netting six times and providing three assists in 38 matches this term.

The attacker has already missed a further 86 matches due to injury, though, and he was left out of the Spain squad for March's Euro 2024 qualifiers with Norway and Scotland.

ID:510062:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4977:

Click here for more stories about Ansu Fati

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
France's Marcus Thuram pictured on December 18, 2022
Read Next:
Barcelona 'cool their interest in Marcus Thuram'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
12pm
Fritz
Rublev
7pm
Auger-Aliassime
Lehecka
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs341861067541360
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8Chelsea34149116559651
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!