- Ansu Fati burst onto the Barcelona scene as a very promising 16-year-old.
- The striker, now 21, has had serious physical and fitness problems in recent years.
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Manchester United reportedly made a €100m (£83.5m) bid for Ansu Fati in the summer of 2020.
Fati, 21, burst onto the Barcelona scene in the 2019-20 season, making his debut at the age of 16.
That campaign, he scored eight goals in 33 games, becoming Barcelona’s youngest ever goalscorer in the process, while finishing second in the 2020 Golden Boy award behind Erling Haaland.
Barcelona had high hopes for Fati, who made his debut for Spain aged 17, and took the No. 10 shirt vacated by Lionel Messi when the Argentine left the club in 2021, with the forward soon tied down to a bumper new contract.
However, Fati has suffered a series of injuries in recent years and has yet to reach the potential that led to him being considered a potential Ballon d’Or winner.
Manchester United reportedly made a €100m (£83.5m) bid for Ansu Fati in the summer of 2020
Fati burst onto the Barcelona scene at the age of 16 and was destined for global stardom.
So impressive was his progress that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United tried to sign him.
Fati was loaned to Brighton last season in an attempt to resurrect his career but again struggled physically and scored just four goals for the Seagulls.
He had been absent with a foot injury so far this season but has returned to the squad in recent weeks and, at the age of 21, Fati still has plenty of time to fulfil his immense potential.
And, according to The athleticSo impressive was his early progress that United attempted to sign the striker for €100m (£83.5m) in the summer of 2020.
Reports at the time claimed United had been in talks with Fati’s then agent Jorge Mendes, but Barcelona were desperate to keep hold of their prized talent.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also said to be keen to sign Fati after the club failed to secure a pricey signing for Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho, with the Englishman eventually joining the club for £73m the following year.
Fati, who has not played for Spain since October 2023, has suffered several knee injuries in recent years, which has caused him further fitness issues.
United signed Fati after their initial attempts to sign Jadon Sancho in 2020 failed
Fati has been through a tough few years in his career, struggling with form and fitness issues.
He remains under contract at the Nou Camp until the summer of 2027 and is reported to be on a high salary relative to several of his teammates in the Barcelona first-team squad.
The report claims Fati’s wages were a stumbling block in Barcelona’s attempts to raise transfer interest in the 21-year-old over the summer.
However, having regained fitness, Barcelona are desperate for Fati to return to his best and there is hope he can become a real option for Hansi Flick’s side as they get through a difficult few years.
