Is Ansu Fati’s time at Barcelona coming to an end?

Ansu Fati was once hailed as the future of Barcelona, a beacon of hope in the post-Lionel Messi era.

The teenager who dazzled on his debut at just 16 carried the weight of the club’s expectations on his shoulders, with a €1 billion release clause symbolizing his untouchable status. But fast forward a few years, and that promise has faded. Fati’s time at Barcelona appears to be reaching an unceremonious end.

Now 22, Fati is plotting his departure after growing increasingly frustrated with his lack of game time under Hansi Flick. Since returning from a loan spell at Brighton & Hove Albion, where he struggled to make a significant impact, the once-celebrated talent has been relegated to the sidelines at Camp Nou.

He hasn’t played a single minute in La Liga since November and has made just eight appearances across all competitions this season, totalling a mere 187 minutes.

The Spaniard reportedly turned down offers to leave in the winter transfer window, hoping to reignite his Barcelona career. But as the months have passed, it has become clear that Flick does not see a place for him in his plans.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Fati is “very disappointed and affected” by his situation and has now accepted that he must move on to salvage his career.

The young winger’s decline can be traced back to a devastating knee injury in November 2021, which disrupted his momentum and led to a lengthy recovery process. While his natural talent remains, Fati has struggled to recapture the explosive form that once made him a household name.

His stint at Brighton was intended to provide a fresh start, but it failed to deliver the spark both he and Barcelona had hoped for.

Barcelona, too, have reasons to part ways. Fati’s lucrative contract, signed in 2021 when he was a key starter, reportedly earns him £200,000 per week - making him one of the highest earners in the squad.

With La Liga scrutinising the club’s finances and enforcing a reduced salary cap, offloading Fati’s wages would significantly ease the financial strain. This urgency is compounded by the need to register new signings like Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor.

Potential suitors are already circling. Porto, Borussia Dortmund, and Ajax showed interest in January, and they could return in the summer alongside Premier League clubs eager to offer Fati the opportunity he craves. For Barcelona, letting him go - whether through a transfer or a pay-off agreement - might be as much about economic survival as squad planning.