Transfer Centre

Ansu Fati 'ready to leave Barcelona over lack of minutes'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 27 October 2022

Barcelona attacker Ansu Fati reportedly tells agent Jorge Mendes that he is prepared to leave the club due to his lack of starts under Xavi.

Barcelona attacker Ansu Fati is supposedly ready to leave the club due to his lack of game time under Xavi.

The 19-year-old has been unable to consistently impress Xavi due to a spate of serious injuries during his fledgling career, as he spent 305 days out with a knee injury between November 2020 and September 2021.

Fati has since suffered recurring problems with his knee and hamstrings, forcing him to miss as many as 84 games for La Blaugrana already, but he has worked his way back to full fitness.

Despite his improved availability, Fati has struggled to get a regular look-in amid intense competition for spots in Barcelona's attacking trident.

The Spain international has made 16 appearances in all competitions this season - contributing three goals and three assists - but he has been used off the bench in the majority of matches.

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

Fati has only made two starts in La Liga - coming on as a substitute in a further nine games - and he has not started in the Champions League since his side's opening 5-1 win over Viktoria Plzen.

According to Spanish outlet Sport, Fati is growing increasingly frustrated over his lack of starts under Xavi and would be prepared to leave Barcelona if his situation does not improve.

The report claims that agent Jorge Mendes has informed Barcelona that the attacker would be prepared to sever ties with the Catalan club if he continues to play a bit-part role in the coming months.

However, Barcelona managed to tie Fati down to a new long-term deal in October 2021, and he is contracted to Xavi's side until the summer of 2027 with the option of a further two years.

The Blaugrana inserted a release clause of €1bn (£861.6m) into Fati's new deal, and the club are therefore extremely relaxed about the situation, with Fati seemingly unlikely to force a move elsewhere.

Ansu Fati in action for Barcelona in November 2021 © Reuters

Since bursting onto the scene from the La Masia academy, Fati - a former youth product of Sevilla until 2012 - has scored 22 goals and set up nine more in 74 games for Barcelona.

The attacker's form has helped him earn four caps for the senior Spain squad, while he has won one major trophy with Barcelona in the form of the Copa del Rey.

However, Fati is having to compete with Raphinha, Ousmane Dembele, Memphis Depay and Ferran Torres for starts out wide, while Gavi and Pedri have also started in more advanced roles.

The teenager came off the bench for the final 22 minutes of Wednesday's 3-0 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich, as Barcelona were condemned to Europa League football for the second year running.

Xavi took responsibility for his side's elimination, which was sealed when Inter Milan beat Viktoria Plzen, and Barca will aim to bounce back in La Liga against Valencia on Saturday.