Ansu Fati transfer news: Brighton sign Spain and Barcelona forward on season-long loan
- Published
- comments
Ansu Fati: Guillem Balague on Brighton's loan signing from Barcelona
Spain forward Ansu Fati has completed a season-long loan move to Premier League side Brighton from Barcelona.
Fati had fallen down the pecking order at Barcelona, who need to create space in their squad to sign Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo on loan.
Brighton's deal for the 20-year-old does not include an obligation to buy.
Tottenham had also been linked with Fati, but he is understood to have been impressed by Brighton's style of play under manager Roberto De Zerbi.
De Zerbi said: "This is a great deal for all of us. I am sure Ansu will help us to reach a new target and we can help him get back to the level he deserves to be."
The deal is a major coup for Brighton, who will be playing European football this season for the first time having qualified for the Europa League, where they will play Ajax, Marseille and AEK Athens in the group stage.
Brighton will pay 80% of Fati's contract to the end of June. The overall outlay in wages is around £7m.
Brighton technical director David Weir said: "He is one of the most highly-rated young players in the world and arrives with an impressive amount of experience both domestically and in European competition, despite his age.
"This season is the biggest in the club's history and we're really happy that a player of Ansu's quality is going to be part of it.
"We will give him the opportunity to embed himself in the squad and to get used to working with Roberto, but naturally we're excited to see him in a Brighton shirt."
Fati, who was born in Guinea-Bissau but chose to represent Spain and was part of their World Cup squad last year, signed a new contract with Barcelona in 2021 to run until 2027 which included a 1bn euro buyout clause.
Troubled by knee and leg muscle injuries in the past, he will hope new surroundings can spark an improvement in his fortunes.
Analysis
Guillem Balague, speaking on The Football News Show.
The first thing Ansu has to do is understand where he's landed. His intention was not to leave Barcelona. He realised through the first games of the season that Xavi counted on others.
He realised 'I'm going to have to prove my worth somewhere else'.
He had a bad injury and we haven't seen his best version since.
The way Brighton play, there are spaces, box-to-box, high tempo, the ability to finish will benefit him. He's one of those players born with a talent of finishing. He's so good at it. He'll score goals. Let's see when he's given more minutes if he has the continuity to belong to the elite. I think he can but it's time to prove it.
Our coverage of Brighton & Hove Albion is bigger and better than ever before - here's everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment
