Explosive interview gifts Man Utd and Arsenal incredible Barcelona transfer chance, as winger’s father hints at preferred choice

The future of Ansu Fati is coming to a head, with the Barcelona winger’s father hinting who he’d like his son to join amid interest from Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle.

The 20-year-old was tipped for big things upon inheriting Barcelona’s coveted No 10 shirt previously worn by Lionel Messi. Fati remains one of the brightest talents in world football, though his trajectory has flattened in recent times.

Indeed, Fati has mainly been restricted to appearances off the bench this term. His career has not ignited as he would’ve liked ever since returning from a serious knee injury in September of 2021.

Fati is under contract at the Camp Nou until 2027. Barcelona have no desire to cash in on a player who may yet realise his true potential, though his future has been thrown into doubt by his own father.

Speaking to Spanish outlet COPE, Ansu’s father, Bori, revealed his anger at the way his son has been utilised by Barca boss Xavi.

“As a father I am angry, yes, like any father,” said Bori Fati. “Because seeing Ansu play so little makes you a little angry. I tell them that we deserve much more.

“Ansu when he played before getting injured, there was Messi, [Luis] Suarez, [Ousmane] Dembele, [Antoine] Griezmann.

“It bothers me that they give him a minute, two minutes or three minutes. The forwards that are there are phenomenal, but we are talking about Ansu Fati, from the Spanish national team, he is not just any boy. He’s a boy who left La Masía.

“If you don’t give him that, what are you going to give him? Ansu deserves much more, we’re talking about Barcelona’s  number 10.'”

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English vultures circling

Cadena SER recently reported Barcelona officials Mateu Alemany (director of football) and Jordi Cruyff (sporting advisor) held a meeting with Fati’s father on Monday.

Barca’s desire to retain Fati was reportedly emphasised in the meeting, though Bori’s subsequent comments suggest all is not well between the Fati family and Barca.

Fati’s market valuation has reportedly been slashed by more than half amid his demotion down the pecking order. That’s something that’s alerted the English heavyweights who would hope to reignite Fati’s fire through a change of scenery.

Indeed, Sport report Newcastle, Chelsea and Arsenal are all showing interest in the Spain international. However, it’s Man Utd whose interest is deemed the most ‘real’ and ‘reliable’.

Sport claim Fati’s situation at Barcelona has ‘exploded’ following his father’s comments which are a ‘step towards’ leaving Catalonia.

On that front, Bori hinted his preferred destination for his son would be remaining in Spain and joining Sevilla.

The Fati family moved to the city of Seville when Ansu was aged just six. He spent three years on Sevilla’s youth academy between 2010-12 before being poached by Barcelona.

“At Barca they tell me that they bet a lot on Ansu, they tell me that clearly,” continued Bori Fati in his interview with COPE.

“When I sat down with Jorge Mendes [his representative], the first thing he told me was that Ansu wants to stay and will continue playing for Barcelona. But I, as a father, thought otherwise, and Ansu doesn’t agree with that.

“I think a lot about Sevilla, about going home. Right now I wouldn’t value an offer from Madrid, because Ansu wouldn’t accept it. I can’t put Ansu where he doesn’t want to go.

“But I will never speak ill of Madrid because they are two very big clubs and you never know what the world is going to bring you… You never know where it is going to take you.”

Barcelona will not entertain a sale of such a promising star to Real Madrid. Furthermore, it’s highly doubtful Sevilla or Atletico Madrid would be able to afford the type of fee Fati will command – even if his value has diminished.

If Fati’s situation reaches breaking point and an exit is sanctioned, a move to England is a very real possibility.