Barcelona forward Ansu Fati is on his way to join Brighton, just a day after it was claimed he was keen to move to Liverpool.
Fati is seemingly being forced out of Barca, in order for the Catalans to fund a push for Joao Felix. With FFP concerns a very real threat, they needed to free up space in their squad.
And according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Fati’s spot in that squad will be empty next season. Taking to Twitter late last night, the journalist gave his trademark ‘Here We Go’ for the 20-year-old’s move to the South Coast.
“Ansu Fati to Brighton, here we go! Deal in place between BHAFC and Barca as revealed earlier, verbal agreement now done,” Romano says.
“NO buy option clause. Loan deal until June 2024. Main part of salary covered. Travel booked on Thursday, Brighton want it signed ASAP.”
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Fati set for Brighton loan
This is an interesting deal from a Liverpool perspective for a number of reasons. Firstly, when it transpired yesterday that Fati really could be leaving Barca, it was claimed that he had his eyes on a move to Anfield.
Linked with a loan to Tottenham Hotspur, the Spain international was said to prefer the chance to join a ‘top’ team like Liverpool.
Obviously, that always seemed unlikely. It was caveated with the news that Mohamed Salah would likely need to be sold for that to become a possibility. And the Reds have been firm that that isn’t going to happen.
So, in the absence of any offer from Liverpool, joining Brighton is smart from Fati.
Do well for the Seagulls, and he’ll surely be back on the radar of plenty of top teams. If Barca still don’t want him – or can’t register him – next year, then the ‘spectacular’ young winger may be one to watch for Liverpool after all.
In 12 months time the notion of finally selling Salah to the Saudis will be a lot more palatable. As a result, Liverpool may well be looking to add a quality young forward to their squad in summer 2024.
If he can get himself proven in the Premier League over the course of this season, you can’t rule Fati out of that equation.