Barcelona 22-year-old winger stares at an uncertain future, January exit not ruled out

Lamine Yamal is now seen by Barcelona fans in the same light as Ansu Fati was in 2019. Yamal debuted for the club at just 16 against Real Betis, and his impressive goal-scoring hinted at a bright future.

However, Fati’s journey took a downturn due to injuries, including a meniscus tear that required four surgeries. His comeback was plagued by further muscle injuries, preventing him from regaining his top form.

Hansi Flick hoped to restore Fati’s previous performance by experimenting with him as a striker early in his tenure. Now, as a quarter of the season has passed, Fati’s future remains uncertain.

Recent reports from SPORT indicate that Fati’s situation is still precarious, as he hasn’t capitalized on his chances at the club. Although his contract runs until 2027, his lack of playing time makes a potential January transfer a possibility.

Could Ansu leave in January?

Fati has recently been linked with Sevilla as he seeks more playing time. However, he prefers to remain at Barcelona until the end of the season to evaluate his options then.

The 22-year-old, who celebrates his birthday today, has played only five matches for Barcelona this season, with four coming from the bench. He has yet to contribute any goals and has struggled to regain his former explosiveness, leading some to doubt if he can return to his peak.

Despite this, his performance against Sevilla was encouraging, raising hopes that Hansi Flick could help him rediscover his form.

With a long season ahead and the need for player rotations, Fati is likely to receive more opportunities as the months go by, particularly given Flick’s limited attacking options. Ultimately, his future will depend on how he capitalizes on those chances.