Barcelona squad overhaul continues to catch the headlines as the club has challenges, financial and sporting, ahead of the summer transfer window.
Hansi Flick is moving the team toward a more balanced and dynamic jumbo, and then the glaring decisions about who is performing or not are on the agenda.
One of these is an academy darling who was once a bright light at Camp Nou, but now can’t live up to the hype.
Given that he is being pushed on for a more streamlined team and wage bill, he seems like a clean exit for the club, but with it comes some complications.
As reported by Fichajes, Barcelona are working to find a conclusion to Ansu Fati’s exit this summer, with the winger having a contract until 2027.
The 22-year-old winger, touted as a future superstar when he was in form, has fallen down the hierarchy at the club ostensibly owing to form and injury.
Nevertheless, the club is overdue in finding solutions.
The main obstruction to the exit is Fati’s €25 million gross salary, which is a significant expense for Barcelona.
The club wants to terminate his contract on amicable terms and allow him to leave as a free agent, but Fati’s camp is unwilling, as they want fair financial compensation from Barcelona to reduce the impact of the loss of income from terminating his contract.
Fati appreciates Barcelona, the place where he came up through La Masia, but it is a mutually beneficial split.
His people are willing to collaborate if a reasonable settlement can be reached.
Many European clubs are already hovering, seeing Fati’s obvious talent and potential to revive an earlier talent.
Barcelona wants to sort the situation out before the transfer window opening, hopefully freeing cash to improve some other areas of the squad, including attacking areas they want to pursue targets for.
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