It's now official: after weeks of uncertainty, the future of the Spanish forward has finally been solved and is now well on track. His name had once again been linked to several European teams, but in the end, AS Monaco will be the club to sign the striker who came up through Sevilla's youth academy. It is an unexpected destination, but one that has been made possible thanks to the effective mediation of his agent, Jorge Mendes.
The Portuguese representative has managed to steer a deal that seemed very complicated just a few weeks ago. The Principality club will pay most of the player's salary during the upcoming season. In addition, they keep a non-mandatory purchase option, which allows the Monegasque side to assess his performance before making a final decision.
This is a significant loan with many advantageous conditions for all parties; the French club strengthens their squad with a still-young talent with potential. Meanwhile, Barça frees itself from a high salary and gains room in their financial Fair Play. Barça's sporting management had been searching for a solution for the striker for months.
Deco closes Ansu's departure
His performance this season has been more than discreet. He hasn't scored a single goal all year, and his minutes on the field have been minimal. The coaching staff no longer trusted his football recovery, and both Deco and Hansi Flick welcomedhis departure to free up space in the squad.
Monaco offers the player a less demanding environment and a league where he can regain his form. The French club trust the Spanish international to show again that flair and goal-scoring instinct that made him one of the great promises of European soccer. At just 21 years old, he still has room for improvement if he can leave behind the physical problems that have hampered his progress.
Mendes finds a solution
The deal has been accelerated by Jorge Mendes in recent days, once it became clear he wasn't in Barça's plans for the 2025-26 season. The Portuguese agent has kept in touch with several clubs, but Monaco's offer was the strongest. The French made a strong commitment, both in sporting and financial terms, and convinced the player it was the ideal place to restart his career.
The forward's departure also has a symbolic meaning within the Barça locker room; his exit leaves the number "10" jersey available, a historic number at Barça, Messi's. Everything suggests Lamine Yamal will be the new bearer of that legendary number. The young star is expected to lead the blaugrana project in the coming years, and his growth has been one of the factors that led to this departure.
Barça closes a complex chapter both in sporting and emotional terms; the striker's exit marks a turning point after years of expectations that were never fulfilled. Now, in Monaco, a new stage begins for the youth product, with the goal of rediscovering his best form. At Can Barça, the future lies with Lamine Yamal.