Barcelona have told 21-year-old star's agent to find him a new club: Reports
Barcelona have reportedly advised agent Jorge Mendes to find his client Ansu Fati a new club in the ongoing summer transfer window.
Fati, who relished a meteoric rise to fame during his initial seasons at his boyhood team, endured a difficult loan spell at Brighton & Hove Albion last season. The 21-year-old versatile forward started just nine of his 27 appearances for the Seagulls, scoring four times.
Now, according to SPORT, Barcelona have told Fati's agent to begin looking for a new destination as they are keen to reduce their wage bill this summer. However, the right-footed forward is reluctant to leave, particularly severing ties with his club on a permanent deal.
With Saudi Pro League clubs allegedly interested, Mendes is thought to be paying attention to interest from La Liga teams Sevilla, Valencia, and Real Betis. Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers are also an option, but the player is keen to remain in Spain.
Since making his senior debut at 16 in August 2019, Fati has played in 112 overall outings for Barcelona. He has scored 29 goals and provided 10 assists, operating mainly as a left inside forward for his team.
Barcelona told to rope in new number nine
Ex-Blaugrana star Rivaldo has stated that his former team should focus on signing a replacement for striker Robert Lewandowski in the future. He opined (h/t Yahoo! Sports):
"Barcelona must start thinking about a replacement. A team like this has to have the best in the world playing with them. And that also means keeping an eye on the best players on the market in all positions, including that of the central striker. Lewandowski is a global [superstar], it is so, but we sometimes know that age and injuries can take their toll."
Lauding the 35-year-old ex-Bayern Munich man, Rivaldo concluded:
"I hope that now Lewandowski can rest, that he recovers to be back in Barça's pre-season. He can still have good years of football. Let's remember that he has been named even the best player in the world and that he has a beautiful football history behind him. I just hope that age doesn't take its toll."
Last season, Lewandowski found the back of the opposition net 29 times and laid out nine assists in 49 total outings for the Blaugrana.
Barcelona, on the other hand, signed Brazilian teenager Vitor Roque in a potential €61 million deal earlier this January to offer competition to Lewandowski. However, the attacker scored just twice last campaign.