Ansu Fati to Brighton move is now a done deal as Brighton have reached agreement with Barcelona for the player.
The prolific Spain youngster, who has seen his fortunes at Camp Nou plummet recently, will hope to reset his career as he makes the shock switch to Brighton.
Ansu Fati joins Brighton on a season-long loan deal till the end of the current campaign. Details of the loan move as revealed by Fabrizio Romano shows Brighton will not buy the player at the end of the loan move as no buy option has been attached to the deal.
Also, the Seagulls will cover 80% of Ansu Fati’s contract salary at Barcelona for the one year. Ansu Fati earns weekly wage of £231,289 at Barcelona with four years remaining on his Barcelona contract. Hence, Brighton will fork out £181,031 weekly for the player till 2024.
Fati emerged into transfer spotlight this summer after he fell of the perking order at Barcelona. The 20-year-old has struggled for game time under Xavi Hernandez. He made 36 Laliga appearance for Barcelona last summer but usually came off the bench.
This season, Fati has made 3 Laliga appearances for Barcelona still coming from the bench.
He previously wanted to stay put and fight for his place at the club before reports emerged he is open to a loan exit from the club this summer after his dwindling fortunes at the club deepened.
Ansu Fati’s first competitor at Barcelona was the club’s last summer signing from Leeds United, Raphinha.
Fati was expected to break into Barcelona’s starting lineup when Raphinha picked up a two-match suspension in Laliga clash against Getafe.
Instead of bringing the 20-year-old onboard, Xavi Hernandez has opted to start fast-rising La Masia graduate Lamine Yamal, 16. In his three matches for the club this season, Fati came off the bench.
Dropping behind Raphinha and then Lamine Yamal is said to have influenced Ansu Fati’s decision to let go of his previous resolve to fight for his place in the Barcelona squad as he wanted more playing time.
It was thought the youngster will pit his tent with big Premier League clubs who were lining up offers for him following his decision to leave Camp Nou this summer. Liverpool and Tottenham, including Brighton were reportedly interested in a move for Fati but sources close to the player revealed he wanted a club with lesser competition where he could return to weekly action and play a prominent role. Hence, his decision to agree terms with Brighton.
Ansu Fati will be a big addition to the Seagulls this season, who have lost high-profile players such as Marc Allister and Moises Caicedo to Premier League rivals. He will return to Barcelona in 2024 as Xavi Hernandez still considers him a big asset for the club.
Ansu Fati has made 112 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 12 goals with 29 assists.
