AnsuโฏFati is expected to make a brief appearance in Barcelonaโs final home game, a celebratory yet bittersweet occasion as the club prepares to part ways with the 22โyearโold winger. Back from his loan at Brighton, Fati is no longer in Barรงaโs longโterm plans. Although he rejected several January moves, the club and his agent, JorgeโฏMendes, have since been working on an exit strategy.
Barcelonaโs priority is to shed Fatiโs sizeable wages to free up room for new signings. A permanent transferโpossibly at a cutโrate feeโis preferred, but the board is open to creative solutions, such as the contractโextensionโandโloan model previously used with SamuelโฏUmtiti and ClรฉmentโฏLenglet. Mendes is now gauging interest from clubs in Spain, Italy, Germany, and the Middle East; Benfica and SportingโฏCP have already shown signs of intent.
Fatiโs comeback never took off. HansiโฏFlick initially entertained keeping him, but by December the coaching staff decided he would not be part of next seasonโs squad. Flickโs public criticism rankled Fatiโs camp, who insist he is fully fit and ready.
With a contract running until 2028, Fatiโs future depends on finding a financially workable deal. Barcelona must balance sentiment for a LaโฏMasia graduate with the need to lighten the wage billโmaking the final home match a likely farewell for a player once billed as the clubโs next superstar.
