Barcelona have allegedly been told by agent Jorge Mendes that a big-money bid will arrive for Ansu Fati this summer.
The winger has been regarded as one of the club's most important players ever since he burst onto the scene, a total of 103 appearances being made in all competitions.
However, despite the 20-year-old having chipped in with 26 goals and nine assists during that period, he has only dropped down the pecking order since the arrival of Xavi.
As well as injuries playing their part, the club legend has generally preferred other options on the flanks, Fati making just 13 starts in La Liga and European fixtures this campaign.
A further 25 outings have come from the substitutes' bench during those matches, but it is generally accepted that the Spain international is no longer regarded as anything but a squad member.
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With reports persisting regarding a potential return of Lionel Messi, Barcelona would need to generate substantial funds to make that happen, La Liga president Javier Tebas saying in March that a £177m deficit must be made up ahead of 2023-24.
Fati, who has a contract at Camp Nou until 2027, is allegedly keen to extend his stay at Barcelona, rather than entertain a transfer to another club this summer.
However, according to Sport, his representative Mendes has already told Barcelona officials that he expects to be able to attract a €70m (£61.5m) from a Premier League club.
The report claims that Fati has been included on Barcelona's transfer list for next season with Xavi prepared to move forward without his presence in the squad.
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Mendes is said to have told the Barcelona hierarchy that he will be able to tempt at least one Premier League club to firm up their interest in the playmaker.
Last month, it was claimed that each of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were monitoring the situation, while Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola holds a level of appreciation for Fati.
At one stage, it was indicated that Barcelona would demand at least £90m for a player who also has a €1bn release clause inserted into his contract.
That said, the former is now not deemed to be realistic, and it appears that Barcelona would be prepared to cut their losses for a reduced fee, aware that any sale would go down as pure profit in the books due to Fati's status as an academy graduate.
Darren Plant
