Barcelona Transfer News Roundup: Blaugrana ready to offload Ansu Fati; Lamine Yamal compared with Lionel Messi, and more - October 14, 2023
Barcelona are third in the league after nine games, three points behind leaders Real Madrid after nine games. The Spanish champions next face Athletic Bilbao at the Olympic Lluis Companys, their temporary new home for the season, on October 22.
Meanwhile, the Blaugrana are willing to cash in on their on-loan attacker Ansu Fati next summer. Elsewhere, teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has been compared with club legend Lionel Messi.
On that note, here's a look at the key Barcelona transfer stories as on October 14, 2023:
Barcelona ready to offload Ansu Fati
Barcelona are willing to offload Ansu Fati next summer, according to SPORT. The Spanish forward joined Brighton & Hove Albion this summer on a season-long loan after dropping down the pecking order under Xavi. The 20-year-old has appeared seven times across competitions for the Seagulls this season, scoring once.
Once tipped to be Lionel Messi's heir at the Camp Nou, Fati has failed to live up to expectations. However, his stock remains high, which is why the La Liga giants are willing to consider his departure next summer for a sizeable fee. With Joao Felix doing well on loan, it's difficult to imagine Fati's way back up the pecking order at Barcelona.
The La Liga giants are expected to offload players to address their financial woes next summer. Fati has emerged as an option, and his exit in a big-money move could also pave the way for Felix's permanent stay.
Lamine Yamal compared with Lionel Messi
Barcelona Atletic manager Rafa Marquez has compared Lamine Yamal with Lionel Messi.
The Spanish youngster has broken into the scene under Xavi this season, earning plaudits for his performances. The 16-year-old rose through the ranks at the Camp Nou and earned his first-team bow at the tail end of the last campaign.
It was immediately clear that the player is destined for great things. Yamal has appeared in all 11 games for the La Liga champions across competitions this season, registering a goal and two assists.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Marquez backed the teenager to become the next big thing for Barcelona.
"He belongs to that group of gifted kids who have this innate talent and no matter what age they are, they can compete in any category and make a difference.
"Ronaldinho, Messi … Lamine can be the next one. He has all the qualities. Obviously, you have to take care of the processes because he is still a child," said Marquez.
Marquez also said that he's pleasantly surprised by Fermin Lopez's rise this season.
"It was surprising. I didn’t have him last year, but he had to go out there to realise that he had a great opportunity to be at the club. We are all happy about this evolution and that Xavi likes him so much," said Marquez.
Lopez has already appeared six times for Barca this season, scoring once.
Vitor Roque backed to impress
Former Atletico Madrid midfielder Diego Ribas has spoken highly of Vitor Roque. The Athletico Paranaense forward is set to join Barcelona in 2024, with the club already agreeing a deal for him this summer.
The teenager is highly rated in the South American circuit and is expected to be a huge hit at the Camp Nou. Ribas is aware of the player's qualities having played against him.
Speaking to SPORT, though, the former player added that it's too soon to compare Roque with Ronaldo Nazario.
"We played against him, and he is a great player. He caught my attention.
"He mixes strength with technique and is a great finisher. I think players like that, who have these characteristics, are special. He is very young and in Brazil. He has played phenomenally," said Ribas.
He continued:
"I’ve always been an admirer of Ronaldo Nazario, but it’s very early days. You have to control expectations. The football world is looking for a replacement for this very special player, and we have to give him time to see, but he is a very good player."
Barcelona are pushing to add the player to Xavi's squad by January, following Robert Lewandowski's injury.