Barcelona attacker Ansu Fati has allegedly accepted that he has no future at Camp Nou.
The academy graduate initially burst onto the scene in 2019-20 and was immediately viewed as the heir to the throne of Lionel Messi.
Reaching 29 goals and six assists from 120 appearances for Barcelona is an impressive feat in its own right, but the Spain international's time on the pitch in recent seasons has nose-dived.
Fati was allowed to spend 2023-24 on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion where he largely failed to make an impact over his 27 appearances in all competitions.
Despite interest from elsewhere, Fati opted to remain with his parent club for this campaign in the hope of winning over new head coach Hansi Flick.
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Fati accepts Barcelona fate?
However, the 22-year-old has remained on the periphery of the German's squad since his arrival, despite Barcelona sometimes battling a hectic schedule.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Fati has accepted that he has no future at Camp Nou and will need to revitalise his career elsewhere.
Fati has accumulated just 187 minutes of football across eight outings in all competitions under Flick, none of which has come since January 4.
Flick has previously insisted that Fati remains under consideration for selection, yet he has remained as an unused substitute on seven occasions in La Liga during recent months.
With two years remaining on Fati's contract, Barcelona will consider offers for the player during the next summer transfer window as they bid to bolster their financial position.
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A club or manager decision?
Fati is said to be on a contract worth £200,000 per week, a huge hindrance to their efforts to remain on the right side of La Liga's financial regulations.
Even parting ways with Fati - a homegrown player - for a cut-price fee will be of considerable benefit to Barcelona when there have been issues with the registrations of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor.
The report acknowledges that there is interest in Fati's signature, yet it is unclear what the stature of those clubs is.
Furthermore, Fati will inevitably have to take a pay cut if he signs for a European club. Realistically-speaking, he will only retain his current wage if a switch to the Saudi Pro League becomes a possibility.
Darren Plant
