According to a recent report by Sport, Barcelona are eager to tie Ansu Fati down to a new contract so that they can fend off interest from Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund this summer. The same source has also revealed that the Spanish youngster’s agent Jorge Mendes has informed the Catalans about the interest from the Red Devils and later, Dortmund which has led to Barca deciding to offer him a fresh contract in this off-season.
Fati’s Incredible Season At The Nou Camp
Fati has enjoyed another impressive campaign at the Nou Camp after producing a series of eye-catching displays as a key component of Quique Setien’s attack. He has featured in 32 matches for the Catalan giants this term, registering eight goals and one assist in all competitions which highlight his growing influence at Catalonia.
The 17-year-old has shown what he is capable of out on the wide areas and has done well to average 1.3 shots, 0.7 key passes and 0.9 dribbles per game in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League this season. He has also been quite tidy with his ball-distribution as evidenced by his pass completion rate of 85.7% in league football so far (stats via whoscored).
Fati has represented Spain at the Under-21 level but is yet to earn a senior cap for his country. He can benefit from getting his long-term future sorted this summer which will give him the mental headspace to work hard in improving his productivity for both club and country in the years to come.
What Does The Spanish Speedster Offer On The Pitch?
Fati has got the pace and agility to make some driving runs with the ball down the flanks. He showcases terrific balance on the ball that allows him to glide past the opposition defenders and wreak havoc in the attacking third. However, the Spanish starlet is still quite raw and would need time to develop himself into a top talent someday.
Why Quique Setien Needs To Retain Fati’s Services For The Long-Run
The Catalans must secure the futures of their best young players if they want to successfully rebuild their squad and catch Real Madrid at the summit of Spanish football in the coming seasons. Fati has the potential to become a future star at the Nou Camp if he can continue to improve himself with each year.
At 17, the Spanish whizkid is only getting started, so it makes sense for Setien to secure the player’s services for the long-run. He will not only help them challenge for even more trophies in the future but also could end up filling the big shoes of Lionel Messi when he eventually decides to hang up his Barca boots. All in all, the La Liga heavyweights must ensure they keep hold of Fati for now as he could grow into a world-class performer for them sooner rather than later.
