Brighton and Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom has commented on beating Tottenham Hotspur to the signing of Ansu Fati.
Ansu Fati only emerged as a potential Brighton and Home Albion signing very late in the summer transfer window.
We’re used to seeing a fair few shocks during the summer transfer window.
This window was dominated by the rampant spending from Saudi Arabia, with big-name players heading to the Middle East.
There was a very late shock though as Brighton pounced to snap up Barcelona forward Fati on loan for the season.
Presented to Brighton fans as they hammered Newcastle United before the international break, Fati is a truly exciting addition to an already-outstanding Seagulls side.
Tottenham Hotspur missed out on Ansu Fati
Fati has been tabbed as a real wonderkid over the years having broken into the Barcelona side as a teenager.
Eight goals in his debut season left many believing that Fati would become a superstar – and he was even given Lionel Messi’s famous number 10 shirt at the Camp Nou.
Injuries and competition for places ultimately slowed Fati’s development, and that’s why Barcelona have been so willing to let him go.
Brighton were far from alone in the race though with Fabrizio Romano reporting just a couple of days before the deadline that Tottenham had started talks to sign him.
Spurs were in the market for a versatile forward and COPE reporter Helena Condis claimed that a deal was imminent after talks with Ange Postecoglou.
Just minutes later, reports emerged of Brighton swooping in to sign Fati and, sure enough, the Spanish ace picked a move to the South Coast.
Brighton chief reacts to Fati coup
This just continues Brighton’s very impressive recruitment and the hope is that Fati can make a major impact.
Brighton owner Tony Bloom has now commented on Fati whilst speaking with BBC Sport during the international break.
Bloom claims that Brighton weren’t even really exploring a deal for Fati until the final days of the window as he it became clear that he could leave Barcelona.
Boss Roberto De Zerbi really wanted the move and Bloom was excited, meaning Brighton pulled out all the stops to get Fati signed up.
Tottenham were left in their wake, with Brighton able to secure a deal considered ‘wonderful’ by Bloom.
“It wasn’t one we had really talked about much until the last few days of the window but when we heard about it, Roberto was really keen and I was extremely excited,” said Bloom.
“We managed to get a deal done very late. It is a wonderful thing for our football club to do. Not so long ago he was considered the best player in the world,” he added.
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