FC Barcelona are currently stalling on Ansu Fati’s expected permanent transfer to AS Monaco because they want to maintain control over the forward by inserting a buyback clause into the deal, according to Mundo Deportivo.
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FC Barcelona are currently stalling on Ansu Fati’s expected permanent transfer to AS Monaco because they want to maintain control over the forward by inserting a buyback clause into the deal, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Market experts such as Fabrizio Romano have already reported that the Ligue 1 outfit will exercise its $12.8 million (€11 million) buy option on Fati, who has agreed to join them.
The buy option was inserted when the La Masia product headed across the south of France to join Monaco on a loan deal last summer, which has proven successful for Fati.
Fati has received the increased minutes he lacked under Hansi Flick, while his 11 goals in 25 league outings helped Le Rocher qualify for the Conference League next term.
Monaco want Fati to help them on the continent in 2026/2027. And while reportedly eliminating $19.8 million (€17 million) from the wage bill is important to Barça, who endeavor to return to the 1:1 under Financial Fair Play (FFP) limits, they’re stalling for a reason.
FC Barcelona want a buyback clause for Fati
MD has contacted anonymous sources, who explained that Barça want “to have the future of the homegrown player under control because they consider him an asset of greater economic value”.
This means inserting a buyback option into the permanent transfer’s terms, or a percentage of a potential future sale so that there isn’t criticism if Fati kicks on and is transferred for a premium.
Football has a short memory. Yet we shouldn’t forget that Fati is still only 23 and was the Lamine Yamal of his day.
Breaking through to the Barça first team in 2019 under Ernesto Valverde, he smashed a number of youngest goalscorer records for club and country in various competitions, and was given Lionel Messi’s number 10 shirt such was the confidence in his potential.
A series of knee injuries blighted Fati’s progress. Yet the Spaniard has confessed to being happy again in Monaco, and there is still a chance that he continues evolving.
With a buyback option, Barça could bring him home one day, or at least make a profit if it’s just a percentage of a future sale that gets hashed out at the negotiating table.
As the Blaugrana have bought Anthony Gordon and also have Raphinha on the left wing, there is no place in Flick’s squad for Ansu.
Given he boasts an FC Barcelona contract until June 30, 2028, though, there’s no risk of the Monaco talks breaking down and him leaving on a free for a third party yet.