FC Barcelona forward Ansu Fati is set to join Brighton on loan according to multiple sources.
FC Barcelona forward Ansu Fati is now set to join Brighton on loan, according to multiple sources including Mundo Deportivo and transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano.
The 20-year-old had previously vowed to fight for his place in Xavi Hernandez's first XI.
This week, however, he heeded the wishes of his father Bori Fati and agent Jorge Mendes by having a change of heart and finally looking to play 2023/2024 elsewhere.
Xavi's four-man midfield system sees a midfielder such as Pedri, now injured, or Gavi played on Fati's preferred left flank.
On the right, 16-year-old ace Lamine Yamal has seen off competition from Fati and Torres to take Raphinha's right wing berth thus far after the Brazilian was suspended for two matches after picking up a red card against Getafe in the season opener.
The likes of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Borrusia Dortmund all tabled proposals for Fati to join them on loan according to Mundo Deprtivo.
At the last minute, however, with deadline day approaching Brighton have entered the race and are now the frontrunner to land the Spain international.
Barca are prepared to accept the formal proposal Brighton have made them to take Fati on a temporary basis, and Fati has also accepted the Premier
Fati has been learning English since he first emerged in 2019 as a record-breaking 16-year-old who - like Yamal is doing now - smashed a number of youngest appearance maker records.
Yamal still hasn't been able to touch Fati's youngest goalscorer records, however, which were made in elite competitions such as the Champions League.
Fati's exit should mean good news for another of Mendes' main clients in Joao Felix, who will probably be able to complete his own move to Barca.
Also likely incoming is another Mendes men in Joao Cancelo, who is badly needed at right back in a squad that does not boast a natural in that area of the pitch now that Sergino Dest has been shipped out on loan.