Barcelona manager Xavi has issued a warning to Manchester United and Arsenal regarding his player Ansu Fati.
The young Spanish winger has been linked with the two Premier League heavyweights after falling down the pecking order at the Nou Camp, but Xavi was adamant in his response to reports that he may depart in the summer.
Following the summer acquisitions of Roberto Lewandowski and Raphinha, Fati has started just seven La Liga games this season, while Gavi has been favored on the left wing in recent games. Arsenal and Manchester United have surfaced as potential suitors for Xavi, with both looking to enhance their attacking options in the summer, but Xavi has warned both that he is not interested.
“He is non-transferable for me,” Xavi declared ahead of Barcelona’s match against Villarreal. “At this time, there is no one transferrable. I’m not sure why we’re talking about Ansu’s sale now that the market has ended, especially in Barcelona.
“He’s a key player for us. I have a lot of faith in him and a lot of hope. He is a present-day and future player. I tell him that we have high expectations for him and that I have complete faith in him. I have a lot of trust in everyone, especially Ansu. He must be patient and take things slowly. They want to go too quickly. I was with her for three years..
According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, United, Arsenal, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on Fati’s status ahead of the summer, although Bayern Munich is not interested in the Spain forward.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has agreed with Xavi that Fati will continue with the Spanish club. “He is a Barcelona player in whom we have high aspirations, and we have no information that his agent wishes to do anything,” Laporta added.
Fati is mostly a left winger for Barcelona but has also played as a centre-forward on occasion, which may entice Erik ten Hag’s side to make a move for the teenager, who has a contract with the Catalan club until 2027..
After Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract was ended, Wout Weghorst was signed on loan from Burnley until the end of the season, but the Red Devils are expected to acquire a new centre-forward in the summer..
Arsenal signed Leandro Trossard in January after losing Mykhaylo Mudryk to Chelsea, but could sign another forward in the summer as Mikel Arteta’s side will need additional depth if they are to compete in the Champions League next season..
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