Ansu Fati is going through one of the most difficult moments of his career. The Spanish striker isn't in Hansi Flick's plans, who has left him out of the squad on several occasions. The club believes that his cycle at Barça has definitively come to an end, and everything points to him being the first sale of the next market.
Besides not being considered sportingly, Barça wants to part ways with Ansu Fati for economic reasons. His salary is high and the management believes that his performance doesn't justify his wage, so a sale would relieve the wage bill. His departure seems inevitable, and the club is already working on finding him a destination, hoping to get a significant amount for his transfer.
Barça Wants to Sign a Winger
While Ansu Fati seems to have his days numbered, Barça is already working on strengthening their attack. Hansi Flick only counts on Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, and Raphinha as wingers, so the arrival of a new forward on the wing is an absolute priority for the management.
The list of candidates mainly includes Rafael Leao and Luis Díaz. Both players fit the profile Flick is looking for, as they are wingers with dribbling, speed, and scoring ability. However, their signing won't be easy due to their high prices and the interest of other clubs in them.
The Alternative to Luis Díaz
Leao and Luis Díaz are world-class players and their clubs won't let them go for less than 80-100M.
In this situation, the management has started to consider more affordable alternatives, and one of the names they like the most is Ademola Lookman, a Nigerian winger from Atalanta. Lookman has a contract until 2026 and his market price is around 40 million euros, making him a much more viable option for the club's finances. Additionally, he has proven to be a disruptive striker in Serie A and European competitions.
Ansu Fati Could Be Part of a Swap Deal
According to 'El Nacional', Barça could get Lookman for an even lower price. Atalanta is interested in Ansu, and this would open up the possibility of negotiating a swap deal with money included to close the operation favorably for both parties.
If Barça manages to include Ansu Fati in the operation, the signing of Lookman could be closed for a much lower amount. Everything will depend on how the negotiations progress, but what is clear is that the blaugrana club is determined to strengthen their attack.