Mikel Arteta’s ‘dream’ signing for Arsenal, Ansu Fati, is increasingly likely to leave Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
That’s according to the director of Spanish newspaper Sport, Lluís Mascaró, who says the player ‘more outside of Barcelona than inside’ at this moment in time.
Fati has found himself out of the picture under manager Xavi this season, with injuries and strong performances from competitors in his position meaning he has been in the starting 11 in the league just 37% of the time and featured in just 42% of the available minutes to boot.
It’s led to increased speculation about his future, a situation that has picked up over the last week or so when his father, who also acts as one of his agents, blasted the club publicly.
Several clubs are believed to be showing an interest in a deal if he is made available in the summer, including Arsenal, where Mikel Arteta is said to be a big fan of the player and considers him a ‘dream’ signing.
Barcelona’s financial situation is also playing a part, with them desperately needing to make big sales in the summer to comply with Spanish financial rules, particularly when it comes to their wage bill.
Thus, the potential of Fati leaving this summer continues to grow and according to Mascaró the chance for Arsenal to get him is likely to come up.
“I think that Ansu Fati is always more outside of Barcelona than inside,” he said.
“It is clear that Barca this summer will have to make some operation with a footballer in their squad to bring in money. Fati is the ‘favourite’ to leave.
“His goal at the weekend served to vindicate himself and put himself on the market. It demonstrated that he is a good footballer who is not having a good season.”
