Ansu Fati set for permanent AS Monaco move as Anthony Gordon ends Barcelona return hopes

Ansu Fati is set to leave Barcelona permanently this summer, with AS Monaco poised to activate an €11m buy option after the Spanish club’s signing of Anthony Gordon ended any realistic prospect of the forward returning to Camp Nou.

Fati, 23, has spent 14 years at Barcelona but has been frozen out of Hansi Flick’s long-term plans. After limited appearances in Flick’s debut season, he joined Monaco on loan last summer with the intention of forcing his way back into contention. He had kept the door open to a return as a back-up left-sided forward or number nine, particularly while uncertainty surrounded Marcus Rashford’s future at the club. Gordon’s arrival has effectively closed that option.

According to MD, Monaco will now look to make the arrangement permanent, though they intend to ask Fati to accept a significant salary reduction, or alternatively negotiate the transfer fee down from the agreed €11m buy option. Fati currently has two years remaining on his Barcelona contract, and a U-turn is not expected.

Despite the move falling short of the comeback Fati had envisioned, his season in Ligue 1 represents one of the more encouraging stretches of a career badly disrupted by injury. He registered 12 goals in 30 appearances, accumulating 1,320 minutes — the second-highest seasonal tally of his career in terms of playing time, and his most prolific campaign in front of goal.

Rashford, meanwhile, is reported to be determined to remain at Barcelona regardless of Gordon’s arrival. The England forward is said to be holding onto assurances from Flick that he is wanted at the club, and is open to operating on the right flank should Roony Bardghji depart.