- Ansu Fati broke through at Barcelona as a hugely promising 16-year-old
- The attacker, now 21, has struggled with his fitness and form in recent years
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Manchester United reportedly made a €100million (£83.5million) bid for Ansu Fati in the summer of 2020.
The 21-year-old Fati made his breakthrough at Barcelona in the 2019-20 season, making his debut at the age of 16.
That season, he scored eight goals in 33 games, making him Barcelona’s youngest goalscorer. In 2020, he was runner-up in the Golden Boy Award, behind Erling Haaland.
Barcelona had high hopes for Fati, who made his debut for Spain at the age of 17. He took over the number 10 shirt that Lionel Messi vacated when the Argentine left the club in 2021. The forward was also quickly locked into a bumper new contract.
However, Fati has been struggling with many injuries in recent years and has not yet realised the potential that once saw him considered a potential winner of the Ballon d’Or.
Man United reportedly made a €100m (£83.5m) bid for Ansu Fati in the summer of 2020
Fati broke through at Barcelona at the age of 16 and was tipped for worldwide fame
His breakthrough was so impressive that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United tried to sign him
Fati was loaned to Brighton last season in an attempt to revive his career, but he again struggled with his fitness and scored just four goals for the Seagulls.
He has been absent this season due to a foot injury, but has returned to the match selection in recent weeks. At 21, Fati still has plenty of time to realise his immense potential.
And according to The AthleticsHis first breakthrough was so impressive that United attempted to sign the attacker for €100m (£83.5m) in the summer of 2020.
Reports at the time suggested that United were in talks with Jorge Mendes, Fati’s then agent, but Barcelona were determined to keep hold of their prized talent at all costs.
It was also said that United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted to bring in Fati after the club failed to secure a large transfer fee for Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho. The Englishman eventually left the following year for £73million.
Fati, who has not played for Spain since October 2023, has struggled with several knee injuries in recent years, which have led to other fitness issues.
United went for Fati after their initial attempts to sign Jadon Sancho in 2020 failed
Fati has had some difficult years in his career, struggling with form and fitness issues
He is under contract with the Nou Camp until the summer of 2027 and, compared to some of his colleagues in Barcelona’s first-team, would command a high salary.
According to the report, Fati’s salary was an obstacle to Barcelona’s attempts to attract interest in the 21-year-old last summer.
Now that he is fit again, Barcelona are keen for Fati to get back to his best. There is hope that he can become a real option for Hansi Flick’s team and overcome a few difficult years.