La Liga leaders Barcelona should avoid selling Ansu Fati this summer with Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool considering the Spain international.
That is according to Terry Gibson, the Spanish football expert speaking on the latest edition of El Tel and Jon’s La Liga Weekly podcast.
Fati, during a rare start, put all the discussion surrounding his Camp Nou future behind him against Elche last weekend; letting his football do the talking instead with a fine solo goal as Xavi’s side cruised to a 4-0 win.
It was the sort of run and finish which acts as a reminder of Fati’s ‘breathtaking’ technical ability. A reminder of why Barcelona handed him that iconic number ten shirt following Lionel Messi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal like Barcelona’s Ansu Fati
“He was breathtaking at top form,” says Gibson, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Man United man.
“Since his return from the long, long injury lay-off, he has struggled. He needs minutes. He needs playing time.”
It is no secret that Fati – and his father, for that matter – are frustrated with his lack of regular starts at Barcelona. And, with Barca under pressure to sell before they can buy this summer, some reports have indicated that £50 million may be enough to sign a 20-year-old forward who racked up the records during his remarkable emergence in blue and red.
Fabrizio Romano believes that Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are testing the waters; The Gunners reportedly holding initial talks with Fati’s representatives.
Gibson, however, feels Barcelona may rue cashing in. This is, after all, a player who, at just 20 years of age, still has plenty of time on his side as he looks to realise his undoubted potential.
“Do Barcelona run the risk of selling him?,” Gibson muses. “It could come back to bite them. His form has been exceptional in the past, the same level as Pedri, Gavi and Balde. Fati was on that level.
“If they can, they should avoid selling him and have a plan for him to become a superstar at Barcelona. I would hope that Barcelona keep him. But their financial situation dictates what they have to do.”
Fati has started only 12 games in all competitions this season.
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