The 22-year-old Ansu Fati is considered the most awkward person in Barcelona: wearing the sacred No. 10 jersey, yet unable to get any opportunities. On January 15th, according to "Mundo Deportivo," the Barcelona club and coaching staff hope that Fati will leave during the winter transfer window, but the player still does not want to go.
In the 2024-25 season, Fati has only made 8 appearances, totaling 186 minutes. This "Messi's successor" scored his last goal on November 9, 2023, while on loan at Brighton. In the past 430 days, Fati has either been recovering from injuries or sitting on the bench, even watching from the stands, with very few chances to play.
"Mundo Deportivo" points out that Barcelona coach Flick has not included Fati in his plans. Barcelona's attacking line includes Lewandowski, Rafinha, Amal, Olmo, Fermin, Ferran Torres, Torre, and Victor, leaving no room for Fati. Staying at Barcelona, Fati can only continue to sit on the bench.
In the semi-finals and finals of the Spanish Super Cup, Fati couldn't even make it onto the bench. In the two key matches where Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 2-0 and Real Madrid 5-2, Fati did not make the squad and could only watch from the stands. During Barcelona's championship celebration, the La Masia talents took a group photo together, with Fati standing on the edge, his smile bitter and his expression unnatural - this trophy had nothing to do with him.
"Mundo Deportivo" reveals that missing out on the Spanish Super Cup squad was a huge blow to Fati. Most people in Fati's team believe he should leave Barcelona and join a team where he can get playing time, with the winter window being a good opportunity. The Barcelona club and coaching staff also hope that Fati will leave during the winter window to try and get more playing time.
However, Fati is unwilling to leave Barcelona. The club suggests that Fati's best choice would be to leave on loan during the winter window, hoping that Fati will seriously consider it. "Mundo Deportivo" states that the pressure on Fati is increasing; he knows he is not in Flick's plans but still wants to change Flick's view of him.
From a peak valuation of 80 million euros, Fati's value has plummeted by 70 million to just 10 million in four short years, becoming an ordinary player. Barcelona desperately hopes Fati will leave; his pre-tax annual salary is as high as 14 million euros, a heavy burden for the club. Fati's contract has two and a half years left, with a total salary of 35 million.