Barcelona set 'expiry date' for attacker sale as 22-year-old hits transfer crossroads

The 22-year-old is yet to revive his stalling Blaugrana career under Hansi Flick, making just seven appearances across all competitions in another injury-riddled 2024-25 campaign.

Fati was back in the squad for Saturday's top-of-the-table La Liga clash with Atletico Madrid after recovering from a muscular problem, but he was an unused substitute as the Blaugrana fell to a gut-wrenching 2-1 defeat.

The winger's contract at Camp Nou remains valid for another two-and-a-half years, but he is firmly behind Lamine Yamal and Raphinha in the wingers' pecking order under Flick.

Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo also provide alternative wide options to Fati, and according to Spanish outlet Sport, Barcelona are planning to rid themselves of the latter when the window opens for business again.

Fati pushing against Barcelona exit?

Barcelona have apparently told the winger's entourage that they would be happy to offload him on loan in the January window, in the hope of the winger receiving more minutes in the second half of the season.

La Blaugrana would then attempt to sell him permanently in the summer of 2025, when his value may have increased if he shines during a loan spell, but Fati remains defiant in his position that he wants to stay.

The report adds that attractive offers have also not been forthcoming, and there is therefore a good chance that Fati could remain at Camp Nou for the remainder of the season.

However, Barcelona have apparently put an 'expiry date' on Fati's remaining time to impress, as if he cannot resurrect his career in the second half of the season, the club will have little choice but to move him on.

The 22-year-old is not believed to be in the club's sporting plans for the 2025-26 season and beyond, and they are also keen to axe his mammoth £222,000 weekly wage from their books.

Why has it not worked out for Fati at Barcelona?

Formerly considered the heir to the Lionel Messi throne, a 17-year-old Fati was the next best thing at Barcelona during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but his body soon began to fail him.

A severe knee injury in late 2020 ruled him out for nearly a year, and the La Masia protege has simply never been the same since, while continuing to struggle with other niggling injuries throughout the early stage of his career.

In total, Fati has already missed a staggering 131 games for club and country due to fitness problems; to put that number into context, he has played 119 matches for the Barcelona first team, 12 fewer than he has spent out injured.

A strong 2022-23 La Liga campaign - where he came up with seven goals and four assists en route to title glory - suggested that there could be a way back for Fati, but a failed loan spell at Brighton & Hove Albion put paid to that idea.

The Spaniard may still have a good 15 years of his career ahead of him, but only if he can stay fit, and that is an expensive risk Barcelona are ostensibly no longer willing to take.

Written by

Ben Knapton