Barça’s sports department promised that right after the first team’s tour of the United States would be the time to make important decisions for the future. And so it has been.Yesterday we reported that the club had already notified Vitor Roque and his agent, André Cury, of the need to go to the market and look for a new destination, but the Brazilian striker is not the only one who does not have a place in Hansi Flick’s plans.
Barça urgently needs to free up its first-team squad and, at the same time, reduce its wage bill. With 20 days to go before the summer transfer window closes, it is urgent to make decisions and speed up all contacts to find a destination for proven players but with high salaries that do not exactly make the process easier.
This is the case of Ansu Fati. The Barça striker has been going through a difficult situation in recent years. Repeated physical problems have prevented him from showing the enormous talent he has inside. His last loan to Brighton also did not meet the expectations generated and the player ended up playing a supporting role when his physical condition allowed it.
After his return to Can Barça, and with Flick now in charge of the team, Ansu never tired of repeating that he had worked harder than ever to show that he does have a place in the Barça project. But once again, physical problems have hampered him. Sidelined with plantar fasciitis, a serious injury, he has not shown that he is in a condition to fight for one of the coveted places in the new Barça forward line.
Ansu Fati during a preseason training session with Barça / Dani Barbeito
Operation exit
The current Barça team has plenty of forwards and attacking players. The rise of Pau Victor, the signing of Dani Olmo and the more than likely arrival of Nico Williams evidently force us to look for an exit for other less-performing players. And this is the case of Ansu Fati.
Deco has already told Jorge Mendes that he must use all his contacts to find a way out for Ansu. The striker must regain the physical tone and confidence he has lost in recent seasons, but away from Montjuïc and the Camp Nou. He is not yet 22 years old and will have to take a step back in search of the continuity that is essential to recovering his form.
Barça need to reduce their squad and find someone to share Ansu’s high salary. Having renewed his contract at a crack price, finding a club that will assume a high percentage of that fee would contribute greatly to continuing to facilitate the registration of footballers who currently do not have their license processed.
