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Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur 'join race for Barcelona's Ansu Fati'

Arsenal, Spurs 'join race for Barcelona's Ansu Fati'
© Reuters
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur reportedly join Manchester United in the race for Barcelona attacker Ansu Fati.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race to sign Barcelona attacker Ansu Fati.

The 20-year-old was regarded as one of the top teenage prospects in world football a couple of years ago, but serious injuries have hampered his development.

Fati has since struggled to perform consistently under Xavi, who also has Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha, Gavi and Ferran Torres battling to support Robert Lewandowski up front.

Fati has posted six goals and three assists from 30 games in all tournaments this season, but he has started just seven games for La Blaugrana in the 2022-23 La Liga campaign.

As a result, the Spain international's future is now being called into question, despite his long-term contract until 2027 which also includes the option of an additional two years.

Barcelona's Ansu Fati pictured during the warm up before the match on October 20 2022© Reuters

Fati's contract - which he signed in late 2021 - also includes a mammoth €1bn (£897.9m) release clause, but he is no longer considered an indispensable asset at Camp Nou.

Man United are understood to be keeping tabs on the Spaniard's future, but according to reports in Spain, Arsenal and Tottenham are also among his list of admirers.

Mikel Arteta and Antonio Conte are both said to be keeping a close eye on Fati's development, and his agent Jorge Mendes could try to engineer a move away if his playing situation does not improve.

As many as seven European clubs have supposedly been alerted to Fati's situation, but the current frontrunners are Bayern Munich, who have made contact over a possible deal.

However, the German champions are yet to table an official offer for Fati's services, and Blaugrana boss Xavi recently hailed the 20-year-old as a "spectacular asset" for Barcelona.

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

Nevertheless, the Barca boss urged "patience" over the injury-hit youngster, who has already missed 84 matches for Barcelona due to his multitude of fitness problems.

"Things will work out for him, we have to be patient, he is a spectacular asset for the club, we trust him a lot, he is working very well, he has a tremendous mentality in training, but we need to be patient," Xavi told reporters on Saturday. "He is 20 years old and needs time, like everyone else. This is not the time to talk about sales."

Fati joined Barcelona's academy from Sevilla in 2012, and he has gone on to amass 25 goals and nine assists from 88 senior appearances for the Blaugrana in all competitions.

The 2002-born attacker has already won the Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana with La Blaugrana, who sit five points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table ahead of Sunday's clash with Sevilla.

Both Arsenal and Tottenham reinforced their attack in January, with the Gunners poaching Leandro Trossard from Brighton & Hove Albion while Spurs signed Arnaut Danjuma on loan from Villarreal.

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Raphinha in action for Barcelona on October 4, 2022
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