AS Monaco are on the verge of securing a major coup, closing in on a deal to sign Barcelona’s Ansu Fati on a loan move with an option to buy, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The agreement also includes a significant sell-on clause for Barcelona, ensuring the Catalan club retains a stake in the young star’s future.
The 22-year-old winger, once heralded as the heir to Lionel Messi, has struggled for game time under Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, featuring in just six La Liga matches this season.
A 2020 knee injury and an underwhelming loan spell at Brighton last year have stalled Fati’s progress, but Monaco see him as a key figure for their UEFA Champions League campaign next season.
Fati, eager for regular first-team football, has given his green light to the move, with negotiations progressing swiftly. The transfer fee, if Monaco opt to make the deal permanent, is rumored to be below €20 million—a bargain for a player with a €400 million buyout clause in 2020.
Barcelona, keen to alleviate financial pressures, view the deal as a chance to offload wages while retaining future value through the sell-on clause.
Monaco’s third-place finish in Ligue 1 and Champions League qualification add allure to the move, offering Fati a fresh start to rediscover his prodigious talent. With talks nearly finalized, Fati’s departure could pave the way for Barcelona to pursue a new left winger, as sporting director Deco plans squad reinforcements.