La Liga manager insists Spurs and Arsenal-linked attacker is ‘not for sale’ 

Xavi Hernandez is bemused by the speculation surrounding Ansi Fati’s future, insisting that the rumoured Tottenham Hotspur target is not for sale.

It was not long ago that Fati was looked at as the future of Barcelona but the forward has fallen down the pecking order this season, having started just a third of the club’s league games in 2022-23 (Transfermarkt).

Mundo Deportivo reported last week that Tottenham were one of the clubs eyeing a potential summer move for the 20-year-old amidst his struggles at Barcelona.

Spurs’ interest in Fati was also subsequently backed up by La Vanguardia a couple of days later, with the publication stating that Antonio Conte’s men could face competition for the youngster’s signature from their local rivals, Arsenal and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

Fabrizio Romano subsequently revealed on Friday that Liverpool and Manchester United were also monitoring the La Masia graduate’s situation and added that the attacker’s future could depend on how he does at Camp Nou over the coming months.

However, Xavi has now emphatically dismissed the speculation over Fati’s future, insisting that he sees the forward as a big part of his future plans.

The Barca boss said about the Spain international (via Mirror): “I don’t understand why this is being talked about now in our press conferences.

“There is no transfer window now so Ansu is not for sale. He is a very important player for us now and for the future.

“I have extraordinary confidence in him. Whether he has more or fewer minutes will depend on his performance. I really have blind faith in him.

“He will be a very important player for the present and the future. But he must be patient. There is too much rushing in everything.

“The January market has ended and I don’t know why we are talking about this. We have to be focused on what we are at stake. For me, it is clear that he must continue.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Given Barca’s financial situation, they might have to sell in order to buy in the summer. So, Xavi might have to reluctantly offload Fati if the attacker does not break into his starting eleven over the next few months. However, I do not see Spurs getting involved in a bidding war for the 20-year-old.

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