Following extensive negotiations spanning several weeks, Spanish giants Barcelona and French club AS Monaco have reportedly reached a definitive agreement for the loan transfer of former La Masia standout Ansu Fati to the Ligue 1 side.
Esteemed transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the imminent move, stating that the 22-year-old forward is set to join Monaco on a season-long loan arrangement which includes a potential buy option for the French club. Fati is understood to be signing a new contract extension with Barcelona before making the trip to Monaco in the coming day to undergo the required medical tests ahead of finalizing the deal.
Sources in Spain, including reports from Cadena SER, indicate that the optional fee for AS Monaco to make Fati`s transfer permanent next summer is set at approximately €11 million, which converts to roughly $12.7 million.
Ansu Fati initially burst onto the senior football scene with Barcelona as a teenager, displaying extraordinary potential. His early promise was so significant that he was handed the club`s legendary number 10 shirt after Lionel Messi`s departure. However, a series of challenging injuries early in the current decade severely hampered Fati`s progress and career trajectory, preventing him from consistently recapturing his initial dazzling form.
After spending the previous season (2023-24) on loan with Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Premier League, Fati returned to Barcelona but reportedly struggled for regular playing time under Hansi Flick. During that period, he made just 11 appearances across competitions and did not manage to register a goal.
His total time on the pitch across all competitions last season was limited to merely 135 minutes. Adding to his recent challenges, since the conclusion of the campaign, his number 10 shirt has been notably reallocated to fellow promising La Masia academy product, Lamine Yamal.
This forthcoming loan transfer is widely seen as mutually beneficial for all parties involved. For Ansu Fati, it represents a crucial opportunity to secure consistent playing time and potentially reignite his career away from the intense spotlight and pressure at Barcelona. Monaco gains a young player with a high ceiling and proven flashes of quality at a potentially favorable purchase price should the option be activated.
From Barcelona`s perspective, the move provides significant financial relief by offloading a substantial portion of Fati`s salary; he is reported to be one of the club`s highest earners (listed as the third-highest). This financial flexibility is reportedly part of Barcelona`s broader strategy to generate funds, potentially enabling them to pursue other transfer targets, such as reportedly triggering the release clause of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.
