Arsenal interested in Ansu Fati

Arsenal have already held talks with Ansu Fati,the 20-year-old’s agent, but Mikel Arteta and his recruitment team are now ready to step up their interest in the talented winger, who himself has won nine caps and scored two goals for Spain.

FootballTransfers understands that Ansu will insist on staying at Barcelona, but that a meeting will take place on Friday between Barca president Joan Laporta and the player’s agent Jorge Mendes, during which they will try to persuade the youngster that he must leave for the sake of his career.

The Catalans are open to a loan deal, but only if Arsenal are prepared to pay his wages

Otherwise, they will demand around €58.5 million (£50 million) to complete a permanent transfer. Ansu Fati currently has an expected transfer value (xTV) of 33 million euros, rising to a maximum value of 42 million euros in December 2021.

The striker has four years left on his contract with Barcelona and therefore has the power to decide his future, but given Arsenal’s success over the last 12 months and the prospect of spending little time under Xavi, a transfer must come to the striker’s mind.

DidioA