Super-agent Jorge Mendes is trying to set up an ‘unethical’ situation this summer in his efforts to force Barcelona’s Ansu Fati to join Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That’s according to Onda Cero and journalist Alfredo Martínez, who criticises the Portuguese agent as Fati’s future at the Camp Nou becomes something of a soap opera.
The youngster, once seen as the heir to Lionel Messi, is very much on Barcelona’s list of sellable assets this summer as they look to balance the books before bolstering Xavi’s squad.
He’s been out of favour under the Spanish boss this season and that’s led to talk of a potential exit, although at the moment no big bidders have emerged for him.
Instead, he’s found himself linked with a move to Wolves, with numerous reports making it clear that agent Jorge Mendes is trying to set up a negotiation that would see his other client, Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, end up at Barcelona.
The Catalan side were more than happy to do a deal wherein they’d get Neves plus cash from Wolves for Fati, but reports have made it clear that Fati is completely uninterested in the transfer.
That’s led Martínez to looking at the situation and aiming his ire at Mendes, who he has accused of trying to set up an unethical situation in which only he benefits.
“Less understandable, or perhaps more understandable, is the position of his agent,” he said.
“(He) should look after his interests above all else and respect his will, and not force as he has done to try to win on three sides in the operation with the English team where he is also the owner.
“Jorge Mendes would win here as Ansu’s agent selling him to Wolverhampton, as Ruben Neves’ agent going to Barcelona and as owner of the English team in the proportional part that he can take.
“It would be a very unethical business deal. We will have to see how the issue is solved, but also, Barcelona urgently needs a solution to the case. Even before 30 June.”
Martínez may have slightly overestimated Mendes’ role at Wolves, but his sentiment is the same.
