Monaco has finalized the signing of Barcelona striker Ansu Fati on a permanent transfer for a fee around £9.5 million ($12.5m/€11m).
The 23-year-old has signed a four-year contract with Monaco, extending until 2030, after showcasing his talent while on loan with the Ligue 1 club last season.
This move marks the end of Fati’s 15-year tenure at Barcelona, where he made a remarkable impact as a 16-year-old and was once seen as the potential successor to Lionel Messi.
Unfortunately, a series of injuries impeded his development with the Spanish giants, and now he aims to revitalize his career with Monaco.
Fati is already familiar with French football, having spent the previous season at the club and netting 12 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions.
Birthed in Guinea-Bissau, Fati moved to Sevilla as a child and joined Barcelona’s academy in 2012 at the age of 10.
He surged through the ranks and made his first-team debut at just 16 in 2019, finishing his inaugural season with eight goals.
Unfortunately, a severe knee injury cut his next season short in November.
Despite this setback, Barça entrusted him with the No.10 jersey following Messi’s exit in 2021, but he struggled to regain his pre-injury form, with various minor injuries hindering his return.
Fati was loaned to Premier League club Brighton in 2023, but faced more injuries that limited his playing time in England.
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Fati returned to Barcelona for the 2024-25 season but struggled to secure a regular spot in Hansi Flick’s lineup, finishing his time at the club with 29 goals in 123 appearances.
He has been capped 10 times by Spain, including participation in the 2022 World Cup, and now looks to resurrect his career at Monaco.