Transfer Centre

Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid 'offered chance to sign Ansu Fati'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 19 August 2023

PSG, Atletico Madrid 'offered chance to sign Ansu Fati'

Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid are reportedly both offered the chance to sign out-of-favour Barcelona attacker Ansu Fati this summer.

Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid have allegedly both been offered the chance to sign Barcelona attacker Ansu Fati this summer.

The 20-year-old's future is currently in limbo amid his struggles to become a regular starter for Xavi, having been bedevilled by injuries in recent seasons.

Fati started just 12 La Liga contests and two Champions League games for Barca last term, while he was also named on the bench for last weekend's opening La Liga draw versus Getafe.

The Spain international remains tied down to the Blaugrana until 2027 with the option of a further two years, and he also possesses a mammoth €1bn (£855.3m) release clause in his current terms.

However, Fati's father Bori Fati confessed earlier this year that he told his son to seek a move away from Barcelona this summer if he continued to play second fiddle to other wingers in Xavi's setup.

Ansu Fati celebrates scoring for Barcelona on August 21, 2022 © Reuters

A recent report claimed that the attacker has now requested to leave Barcelona in what remains of the transfer window, and Xavi has refused to rule out an exit for the La Masia graduate.

Arsenal have supposedly been placed on red alert by the developments, but the Gunners are currently focusing on signing a new defender to cover for ACL victim Jurrien Timber.

According to Sports Zone, Fati's agent Jorge Mendes and Barca sporting director Deco are now working to engineer the 20-year-old's exit from Camp Nou, and Xavi will not stand in his way.

PSG have supposedly been presented with the opportunity to take Fati off of Barcelona's hands, but Luis Enrique's priority is Lyon winger Bradley Barcola, and a move to the Parc des Princes is therefore a non-starter.

Alternatively, Fati could explore a summer switch to Atletico, who may be in the market for a new attacker if Joao Felix makes an expected departure from the Wanda Metropolitano.

Chelsea's Joao Felix during the match on January 12, 2023 © Reuters

A transfer to Barca has been strongly mooted for Felix, who should be allowed to seek pastures new due to his irrevocable relationship with head coach Diego Simeone.

However, Atletico have supposedly blocked the Portuguese attacker from joining a direct La Liga rival, although Manchester United could still offer him an escape route.

Meanwhile, Fati's total for Barcelona now stands at 29 goals and 10 assists from 110 games, but he has so far failed to live up to the potential he showed as a teenager.

Nevertheless, Xavi poured cold water on reports linking the Spaniard with a move away in Friday's press conference, saying: "Ansu is very important to us and he will continue to be. There is no more discussion. He is the heritage of the club, present and future."

Barcelona will aim to pick up their first win of the La Liga season at the second attempt when they meet Cadiz on Sunday, where Fati will compete to replace the suspended Raphinha on the right wing.