The 17-year-old attacker has had an exciting introduction to top-team football in his debut campaign, scoring eight goals in 32 outings across all competitions and showing a flair for the Catalan club’s tradition.
The Blaugrana want to keep Fati for life
Barcelona chief Josep Maria Bartomeu wants to keep Ansu Fati at the club “for life.” The 17-year-old attacker has had an exciting introduction to top-team football in his debut campaign, scoring eight goals in 32 outings across all competitions and showing a flair for the Catalan club’s tradition. The teenager made such an impression. There were reports of a €100 million bid for him by an unnamed club, thought to be Manchester United. Still, Bartomeu said there have never been any formal negotiations for talent, he hopes will never leave the Catalans. “There were no formal proposals, but it was interesting from some clubs,” he confirmed. “Barcelona’s answer was no. He is necessary for the future of the club. Ansu is not for sale. He represents the academy from which players leave, learns,
Ansu is unique
“He is special because he moved from the youth team to the first team. There are not many footballers like him, and Barcelona cannot sell him, even if it would be an economic decision for the club during this pandemic. On the contrary: that we are what we have to do is help him grow and get him to sign a new deal in the future to play here for life.” Ansu signed a deal in December that will last until 2022, although Bartomeu confirmed the plan is to link him to new conditions as soon as possible. “The plan now is to move him to the first team,” said the Blaugrana president. “He is going to the first team because he earned it.
“Along with Riqui Puig and Ronald Araujo, he symbolizes La Masia, which makes young players grow into the first team. They show that while some say it doesn’t work, it continues to generate players. “Generations don’t always come out. , but now there are three players here to stay.” But while the teenager has shown a lot of promises, Bartomeu doesn’t want to give him any grandiose labels like a superstar to take over from Leo Messi. “He’s only 17, let’s not put stress on him”,- he said. “Now he has to perform and train with the best. Let him get on the team. The role that awaits him will be decided by him if necessary. It is still early.”