On June 11th, Sport reported Manchester United are ‘very serious’ about Ansu Fati and Barcelona have turned down their ‘first offer’ of €100m for the winger.
The Sunday Times explained the Red Devils have made another proposal, which would take the overall value of the deal to around €150m. The second offer has €50m worth of ‘performance-related variables.’
Sport now claim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side view the 17-year-old as a ‘strategic signing’, not just for now, but for the future as well.
The Spain U21 international’s arrival would excite fans and the report also states technical leaders at Old Trafford are of the belief the youngster would ‘meet all the requirements’ to justify a record investment.
Fati will turn 18 years of age in October and those in charge at United believe he has more than a decade of football ahead of him.
The teenager’s ability to play anywhere up front, coupled with his qualities, makes him the right fit for English football, say Sport. However, he will have to step up to meet the physical demands of the league.
In addition to this, the attacker’s attitude is ‘another factor’ why United value him a lot. He is believed to be ‘humble and eager to improve’ and ‘lives a life focused on football’, which is visible on and off the field.
United’s initial offer of €100m and The Sunday Times €150m claim is once again mentioned by Sport.
It’s stated the La Liga winners have no plans to let Fati leave and they are referring to his €170m release clause.
The Premier League club’s priority has been Jadon Sancho, who has been consistent in the last two seasons for Borussia Dortmund.
With United reportedly reluctant to meet Dortmund’s €100m plus demands for 20-year-old Sancho, it hardly makes sense for them to invest €150m on 17-year-old Fati, who is yet to complete one season at the highest level.
Even Fati’s statistics are not out of this world as he has only five goals and an assist in 24 matches in all competitions.
Barca chief Xavier Vilajoana has already confirmed the club will not sell Fati this summer.
Despite that, Sport continue to link the player to the Old Trafford club and one would wonder if United’s interest is being used as a negotiating tool to get an improved contract with assurances of regular playing time from Barcelona.
