Barcelona Set to Offload Ansu Fati as Number 10 Jersey Sparks Internal Debate
Barcelona is preparing to part ways with Ansu Fati in the upcoming summer transfer window, with the goal of securing a fee in the range of €15 to €20 million. However, both club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco recognize the challenge of commanding that price, given Fati’s limited playing time this season. As a result, alternative options such as a loan move or even a free transfer are under serious consideration.
Offloading Fati would not only ease the club’s wage bill but also open up the coveted number 10 shirt, once worn by icons like Maradona, Laudrup, Ronaldinho, and most recently, Lionel Messi. The jersey, rich with legacy, has placed immense pressure on Fati since he inherited it.
Among the leading candidates to take over the legendary number is Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old sensation who has already become a regular in the first team and is widely seen as one of the brightest young prospects in world football — and even a potential Ballon d’Or contender in the future.
However, according to El Nacional, new head coach Hansi Flick has expressed reservations about giving Yamal the symbolic number so soon. Concerned about overburdening the teenager, Flick believes it’s wiser to let Yamal continue developing under less pressure — keeping his current number 19 for now.
Flick has reportedly advised Laporta and Deco to resist marketing pressure from Nike, who are keen on assigning the number 10 to Yamal due to its commercial appeal. Instead, the German tactician has put forward Dani Olmo as a more suitable candidate for the shirt. Olmo, a key player for Spain, enjoyed a solid season with eight goals and five assists in 28 matches, and he impressed at the European Championship, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer while wearing number 10 for the national team.
Now, the ball is in Barcelona’s court:
Will the club follow Flick’s cautious approach and hand the number 10 to Olmo?
Or will Nike’s commercial interests win out, placing the iconic number on Yamk
