Ansu Fati doesn’t matter at FC Barcelona. Although the 22-year-old was only briefly injured, his last league mission comes from November-partly coach Hansi Flick did not even order him to the match day squad. What’s next with the eternal talent?
Ansu Fati stands at FC Barcelona on the crossroads. The 22-year-old has not been one of the players that coach Hansi Flick has relied on the return of royalty last summer, which is why he is hardly on the field. The development of the eternal talent is increasingly stalling.
The wing player was only used in eight games in the current season and collected in these 187 minutes – he was only in the starting XI exactly once. In total, it is at four league, three Champions League and a cup insert.
Ansu Fati is on the siding at FC Barcelona
Flick reports about conversation with Fati
Flick cannot make it clear to his protégé that he is no longer needed. At the press conference after the 4-1 victory against FC Sevilla, the German was approached in Fati in early February because he had not stood in the squad again, even though he was actually fit.
Flick said: “I talked very honestly with him. It’s not that you talk to the coach and everything is different from the next day.”
However, he added: “He is on a really good way. He makes it good and is close. That is important. I saw many situations from him when he was at a top level. We try to reach this level again. It is a hard job for us, but he does it well and is close.”
Fati without perspective in Barcelona
These words sounded hopeful at the time – but six weeks later nothing changed in Fati’s role. He was not in the squad several times and was only allowed to set the bank three times across competitions-the 22-year-old was never substituted.
As the Marca reports, there had already been an open conversation between Flick and Fati during the winter transfer period. In this, Flick is even said to have got a change to his protégé so that its development continues, since it would continue to be difficult for him in perspective at Barca.
Fatis lush content as a problem?
However, this did not happen. Some international clubs are said to have shown interest in the winger, but this always declined.
As the Spanish newspaper wants to know, this is also due to Fati’s lavish salary. It was not until 2021 until six years to 2027. The contract should be anchored in the contract that he earns more money annually. Starting with six million euros and continuing with eight, ten, twelve and 14 million.
A lot of money for someone who no longer plays a role in a club. This is also how the Barca managers see it, who are supposed to force a Fatis departure.
Still extends Barca with Fati?
In summer, Barca could again brake that lavish salary with possible new obligations. For this reason, the Catalans should now actually consider extending the former jewel.
What sounds completely absurd at first, could be lucrative for Barca and bring scope for the salary structure. As the Sport newspaper reports, there is even an example from 2022 with Samuel Umtiti. At that time, the Frenchman was extended until 2026 and thus covered its lush content.
With the new Fati Treaty, Barcelona could then spread the salary over a longer period of time and thus swirl some salary for each year. Fati would get the same money as before, but Barca would still have more salary up to upper limit per season.
According to the newspaper, the model could look like this: Currently, Fati is still entitled to 26 million euros for two years by 2027. Similar to Umtiti, Barca could extend the contract by another three years until 2030 and divided the 26 million into five instead of two years.
In order to agree to this extension, Fati would of course have to get a sum X, but Barca would then have more salary.
In a similar style, Barca already managed to press the content of Umtiti and last summer by Clement Lenglet (extended until 2027) at least on paper.
Is there a change in summer?
Either way, Fati has to make an important decision in summer, because Flick will most likely continue to exercise the coaching office at Barca, which is why it is likely not to change too much in his standing.
Regardless of whether the Spaniard extends his contract or not – one way or another, it could come to a loan like last season. At the time, the 22-year-old was loaned to the Premier League for Brighton & Hove Albion and completed 36 mandatory games across competition.
However, if he decides to stay with the Catalans again, his career could get even more difficult.