Ansu Fati has named transfer preference as Chelsea get Tottenham hijack chance

30 August 2023 , 13:39

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Ansu Fati has named transfer preference as Chelsea get Tottenham hijack chance

Tottenham Hotspur are in direct contact with Barcelona in a bid negotiate a loan deal for Ansu Fati - but there is a chance that Chelsea could swoop in and hijack the move.

Both Spurs and the Blues are looking to bolster their attacking options before the transfer window closes on Friday. Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is desperate to sign a versatile forward who can play as a winger or a number 10.

Several players including Rayan Cherki, Bradley Barcola, Jadon Sancho, Ferran Torres, Raphinha and Jamal Musiala have all been linked with moves to Stamford Bridge. Barcelona need to abide by Financial Fair Play regulations and are considering selling or loaning out Fati this summer to help them do so.

Fati's exit would then allow the La Liga club to pursue a deal for Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid. The Portuguese forward had a loan spell at Chelsea last season but the club opted against signing him permanently.

According to reports via football.london, Spurs have entered talks with Barcelona to discuss a season-long loan swtich for Fati. However, negotiations are ongoing regarding the conditions of the deal, with Barcelona insisting on having 100 percent of the player's salary covered.

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Chelsea, on the other hand, have not made a formal approach yet but may have an advantage in being able to pay Fati's full salary for the season. The Blues recently had an enquiry to sign Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe rejected.

Fati's contract with Barcelona is set to expire in 2027, but he has not been a regular starter under manager Xavi Hernandez. The 20-year-old Spain forward can play anywhere across the forward line and contributed 10 goals and four assists in 51 appearances last season.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is interested in signing Ansu Fati from Barcelona (Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

But speaking earlier this year, the La Masia academy graduate made it clear he sees his long-term future at Camp Nou. "I have a contract until 2027 and hopefully I can spend even more years here," he said. "I want to spend many years at Barca."

In addition to their pursuit of Fati, Spurs are also interested in signing Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson before the transfer window closes. However, Forest have set a hefty asking price of £50 million for the 22-year-old Wales international.

Chelsea had previously tracked Johnson but have since cooled their interest in him.

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Sam Hill