Transfer Centre

Ansu Fati 'asks to leave Barcelona this summer'

By Andrew Delaney, Reporter | 16 August 2023

Ansu Fati is reportedly looking to leave Barcelona this summer after giving up hope of playing his way into the plans of manager Xavi.

Ansu Fati has reportedly revealed that he wishes to leave Barcelona this summer.

The 20-year-old remains just a squad player at Camp Nou, and following the first game of the season, that looks set to continue.

Fati played only a bit-part role for much of last season, and manager Xavi brought on both Abde Ezzalzouli and 16-year-old Lamine Yamal before him in Barca's 0-0 draw with Getafe.

Spanish publication AS now claims that Fati has had enough and will look to force a move out of the club in search of regular first-team football.

The report states that Xavi does not trust the player to have a prominent role in the side, and has in fact asked for further attacking reinforcements this summer.

Earlier in the summer, Xavi told the player that leaving the club would be the best option, but Fati initially decided to stay and fight for his place.

However, after being given just 10 minutes in their season opener at the weekend, Fati has decided to move on, giving up hope of trying to play his way back into Xavi's plans.

Barcelona coach Xavi reacts on March 19, 2023 © Reuters

Fati burst onto the scene with Barcelona as a 16-year-old during the 2019-20 season, but serious injury has hampered his progress ever since.

Once being touted as the next big thing to come from Barca's La Masia academy, Fati was given the iconic number 10 shirt after Lionel Messi's departure.

After long stints out between 2020 and 2022, Fati returned and was largely injury-free last season, but struggled to break into the side.

The signing of Raphinha, and the emergence of both Pedri and Gavi, have seen Fati slip down the pecking order, despite remaining a regular Spain international.

At this stage, AS state that Atletico Madrid are not in for the player contrary to some other reports, and the club have not made contact over a potential deal.

However, some of Europe's elite clubs are believed to be interested in the young winger, including sides from the Premier League.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are rumoured to be the interested clubs from England, according to the Daily Mail.

Fati would not be the first high-profile exit from the club this summer, after Ousmane Dembele also departed for Paris Saint-Germain just last week.