Barcelona attacking outcast beginning to ideate a potential exit amid recent ostracision

Once heralded as the future of Barcelona, Ansu Fati’s rapid fall from grace appears to have continued under the leadership of Hansi Flick.

Although the German head coach was more than willing to hand Fati a second chance this season, it appears he has lost his faith in the forward, amid his struggles with injuries.

This trend was starkly highlighted in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Athletic Club, where Fati was not even included on the bench, a spot taken by youngster Toni Fernandez, showcasing how far he has fallen in the pecking order.

Fati starting to consider an exit?

Given this scenario, Fati seems to be warming up to the idea of leaving Barcelona, as per a report from Diario SPORT.

His initial desire was to stay until the end of the season, but the lack of opportunities might have changed his perspective.

Several clubs, including Real Betis, Girona, and Valencia, have shown interest in securing him on loan. However, Sevilla are not an option due to strained relations with Barcelona over the Negreira case and the Olmo case.

Real Betis are another option for the former Brighton star, with Manuel Pellegrini keen on shoring up his options in the offensive unit.

Salary to be an issue

However, the primary obstacle to Fati’s potential move is his substantial salary, which he secured during his contract renewal in late 2021.

Fati is paid one of the highest at Barcelona, making it challenging for any club to accommodate him, even on a loan basis.

His contract with Barcelona runs until June 30, 2027, but given his current standing and performance, fulfilling this term seems increasingly unlikely.

With three weeks still left for the January transfer window, Fati must soon take a final call on his future – whether to continue being a benchwarmer at Barcelona or to embark on a new challenge elsewhere, in an attempt to revive his career.