Tottenham and Arsenal are ready to take advantage of Barcelona’s financial troubles by ramping up their pursuit of an attacker also wanted by Manchester United, while Sunday’s Transfer Gossip claims Chelsea are looking to strike a deal for an explosive Serie A attacker next.
NORTH LONDON DUO FIGHT FOR BARCA ACE
North London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal have reportedly stepped up their interest in signing Barcelona starlet Ansu Fati this summer.
Barca may have to sell the Spaniard due to their huge debt. As well as the Financial Fair Play restrictions in LaLiga.
Despite having an exciting reputation, the 20-year-old has struggled for game time in Catalonia this season. Indeed, just seven of his league appearances have been as a starter.
The summer arrivals of Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski certainly hampered his chances, while Ousmane Dembele staying at the Nou Camp has also restricted Fati’s chances.
The youngster, who struggled with injuries last season, is still highly rated at Barca. However, their financial troubles could force them into a sale, as reported by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.
The report states that while Bayern Munich are very interested, both Spurs and Arsenal are very much in the mix. Meanwhile, it was reported on Friday that Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is also looking to strike a deal for the player.
Barca hand forced over Fati sale
It’s claimed that in normal circumstances, Barcelona would never even consider letting Fati leave. However, their hands may be tied in preventing a deal.
The LaLiga giants are said to be around £938million (€1.045billion) in debt. They also have the league’s FFP rules they must abide by.
Mundo Deportivo adds that Barca would get a minimum of £62.7m (€70m) for Fati and points out that selling a player such as him would be the easiest way to ease their fair play problems.
Fati has 25 goals and added nine assists in 88 career appearances for Barca. He also has four-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract.
CHELSEA TO JUMP ON MILAN CONTRACT DISPUTE
Chelsea are ready to pounce on AC Milan star Rafael Leao as the winger’s contract talks with the Serie A side stall.
La Stampa claims the Portugal international is at a standstill with Milan. He currently wants a reduced release clause in the new deal and needs the club to pay the €19million he owes to Sporting for terminating his deal with them.
Chelsea are set to come to Leao’s rescue this summer as they continue to strengthen in attack. Although the forward is not the out-and-out No.9 they clearly need.
However, Leao himself has denied anything is amiss in contract talks with AC Milan.
The 23-year-old has scored 36 goals in 142 games for Milan, having cost the San Siro giants £31m in 2019.
TRIO OF TOP CLUBS CHASING AUBAMEYANG
Chelsea’s interest in Leao comes as Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and AC Milan are all on alert following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s shock Champions League omission.
The Spanish duo and Italian side have all made enquiries ahead of potential summer moves for Aubameyang since he was left out of Graham Potter’s squad for the knockout stages, plunging his Stamford Bridge future into serious doubt.
Barcelona were keen to re-sign Aubameyang in January, following his prolific spell at the Nou Camp which ended when he left to join Chelsea last summer. However, those hopes were scuppered by FFP concerns.
Aubameyang actually started his career at Milan but was consistently loaned out. He eventually got his career on the road in France before hitting the heights at Dortmund.
