Barcelona manager Xavi has vehemently denied reports that Ansu Fati could be set to depart the club.
The highly-rated youngster has found it difficult to get ample playing time during the current campaign. Because of this, reports have surfaced that three big Premier League clubs are monitoring the situation.
Nevertheless, Xavi spoke on the issue during a press conference on Saturday. The coach declared that the player is not for sale.
“At the moment nobody is transferable. The transfer market is over, I don’t know what we are doing talking about sales, we are playing for the season,” proclaimed the coach.
“We are talking about the sale of Ansu, which has not been discussed in the whole month of January. I don’t understand it and even less so in the Barcelona environment. I have a lot of hope for him.”
Lack of starts has fueled transfer speculation
Fati has managed just seven LaLiga starts during the season so far.
Xavi has mixed up his lineup for much of the current campaign. Ferran Torres, Ousmane Dembele, and even Gavi have spent time in Fati’s typical position on the left flank.
Despite just turning 20 in October, Fati’s lack of regular playing time has made him the target of transfer talks.
Fabrizio Romano reported on Friday that Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United are all tracking Fati’s immediate future. This apparently has even progressed to the stage of discussions with the player’s agent as well.
Barca not ready to cash in on starlet
Nevertheless, it certainly appears as if Barcelona want to keep Fati for now. The youngster is under contract with the Spanish giants until the summer of 2027. His release clause is also a staggering $1 billion as well.
However, any potential sale would be far less than the astronomical fee, especially if he nears the end of his current contract.
Fati could also feature against one of his suitors very soon. Barcelona are set to face Manchester United in a Europa League clash on February 16th.
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