Ansu Fati 'holds crunch talks over Barcelona future'

The 20-year-old burst onto the scene with the Catalan giants as a teenager and was tipped by some to become the heir apparent to all-time top scorer Lionel Messi.

However, injuries have since had a devastating impact on Fati's progression, and he has seldom been used from the first whistle by Xavi in the current campaign.

Despite his recent fitness troubles, Barcelona tied the Spain international down to a new long-term deal until 2027 with a staggering €1bn (£880m) release clause a couple of years ago.

La Blaugrana also have the option to extend Fati's deal for another two years until the end of the 2028-29 season, but his lack of recent starts has fuelled speculation that he could make a swift exit from Catalonia.

With rumours circulating over a possible move to the Premier League, Sport claims that Fati's father Bori Fati recently met with club chiefs Jordi Cruyff and Mateu Alemany to discuss his son's next career move.

The meeting is said to have lasted for an hour, although it is unclear what plan of action - if any - was made, and Fati's agent Jorge Mendes is supposedly already putting the feelers out to Premier League clubs.

Manchester United have been the most strongly linked with a move for the 20-year-old, whose situation is also believed to have piqued the interest of Liverpool and Arsenal.

The report adds that Fati would give serious consideration to a move away if he remains a bit-part player for Barcelona, whose financial situation could also pressure them into a sale.

However, the Spaniard tried to put an end to speculation over his future last month, telling the media: "I'm under contract with Barcelona until June 2027 and I hope to stay here for many more years."

Fati's sentiment was echoed by Xavi, who hailed the youngster as an indispensable member of his squad, despite handing him just 11 starts across all competitions in the current campaign.

"Ansu Fati is non-transferable, like everyone in the squad right now. He's a very important player. I have tremendous hope," the Barca boss told a press conference.

"We expect a lot from him, I have blind confidence in him. I have it with everyone. We have been shaping the squad based on what I have wanted."

Fati has scored 25 goals and set up nine more in 96 appearances for Barcelona across all competitions, netting six times and providing three assists in 38 matches this term.

The attacker has already missed a further 86 matches due to injury, though, and he was left out of the Spain squad for March's Euro 2024 qualifiers with Norway and Scotland.