Wolves have reportedly entered the race to sign a Barcelona prodigy
Wolverhampton Wanderers have emerged as contenders to secure the signature of out-of-favour Barcelona winger Ansu Fati, according to Spanish outlet Sport.
Wolves are in the market to sign a creative playmaker to replace Pedro Neto this summer after his £54m departure to Chelsea and are believed to be one of the three clubs interested in signing Fati on a season-long loan deal.
Fati famously burst onto the scene in similar fashion to Lamine Yamal in 2019, by becoming Barcelona’s youngest ever league goalscorer at just 16-years-old. Fati ended his debut season with seven goals in 24 league appearances and was lauded by Spanish media as the potential heir to Lionel Messi’s throne due to his outstanding dribbling abilities, balance and his incredible speed on the ball.
However, a series of long-term injury issues hampered Fati’s progress over the next two seasons as he managed just 17 league appearances in a frustrating period which saw him score eight goals.
Fati looked to have rediscovered his form and confidence with seven goals and three assists in 37 appearances during Xavi’s first full season in the 2022/23 season as his team lifted the La Liga title.
But in the summer of 2023, Xavi made the surprise decision to loan Fati to Brighton in a bid to give him regular first team football with Yamal emerging as the first choice winger at the Nou Camp.
Fati’s move to the Amex Stadium was seen as something of a coup at the time, but he struggled to make the desired impact for the Seagulls due to injuries and ended the campaign with just a disappointing figure of just two goals in 19 league appearances.
Still only 21-years old, Fati remains a player of high potential but is not thought to be a part of new Barcelona boss Hansi Flick’s plans at this moment in time with Yamal, Ferran Torres and Rapinha all fighting for a starting spot.
Spanish outlet Sport notes that the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is looking for suitable clubs for the 21-year-old’s next loan spell, with Barcelona’s stance now clear. Being represented by Mendes could sway things in Wolves’ favour if a real interest in the player is shown, given the jewels that the agent has delivered to Molineux in the past while Valencia and Sevilla are thought to be other potential suitors this summer.
