Barcelona ready to part ways with out-of-favour forward in January

Barcelona appear ready to move on from Ansu Fati during the January transfer window, as reported by Luis Miguelsanz in SPORT. 

Although Hansi Flick initially intended to integrate Ansu into his plans, the young forward has struggled to earn significant playing time. So far, he has accumulated only 132 minutes over five games, averaging a modest 26 minutes per match.

Furthermore, his place in the team rotation has also slipped drastically, now behind Pau Victor and positioned as the last option among Barcelona’s forwards. 

To add to the misery, his market value has taken a significant hit as well, falling from a peak of €80 million to a mere €15 million, which highlights the challenges he faces in regaining his top form and market appeal.

Meeting between the officials

On Thursday, Ansu’s agent, Jorge Mendes, held a discussion with Joan Laporta Deco. The meeting addressed the player’s future, with both sides agreeing to facilitate his exit in January if the player wishes to pursue a fresh start elsewhere. 

The final decision rests with Ansu himself, as the club respects his autonomy in shaping his career path.

Ansu Fati is likely to leave Barcelona in January. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Mendes remains focused on reviving his career, especially after a previous loan stint with Brighton that unfortunately yielded limited success. 

The physical setbacks, coupled with an injury during the preseason, have added to his struggles and are likely to limit his playing time further until January. 

Despite the challenges, Barcelona acknowledge Ansu’s professionalism; however, his high salary and a contract extending until 2026 complicate matters.

There are suitors

Interestingly, there are several potential pathways for Ansu’s career. A move to Saudi Arabia remains an option, while European clubs, particularly Sevilla, who are looking to resolve their goal-scoring struggles, may pursue a loan arrangement. 

For Barcelona, a successful loan spell could help revive Ansu’s market value, positioning him as a more valuable asset in future dealings.

Barcelona also aims to achieve a favourable 1:1 rule in financial management, ensuring they can address any player losses during the winter market. 

The coming weeks are set to be critical in shaping his next steps, with the hope that a January transfer could revitalise his career and bring mutual benefits to all parties involved.