Barcelona have opted to keep the player contracted to the club until 2028 despite his limited game time
Barcelona forward Ansu Fati has completed a season-long loan move to AS Monaco in a bid to reignite his once-blistering career, while also committing his long-term future to the Catalan club.
The 22-year-old winger will spend the 2025-26 campaign in Ligue 1, with Monaco holding an option to make the deal permanent next summer. Barcelona confirmed the move on Tuesday and revealed Fati has also signed a contract extension tying him to the Camp Nou until 2028.
Fati burst onto the scene for Barcelona as a teenager in 2019 but his promising career has been disrupted by injuries and inconsistent form. The opportunity to play regular football, along with Monaco’s presence in the UEFA Champions League, were key factors in his decision to head to France, according to ESPN.
The player is also said to have been impressed by Monaco’s project and the prospect of a defined role under manager Adi Hutter.
Fati went on loan to Brighton for the 2023-24 campaign but after a lukewarm spell he returned to Barcelona last summer, where he featured in just 11 matches under Hansi Flick, starting only three and registering fewer than 300 minutes across all competitions. A far cry from the excitement that surrounded him when he became the club’s youngest ever goalscorer and an acclaimed heir to Lionel Messi.
Despite limited game time, Barcelona have opted to retain control over his long-term future. His new deal suggests the club still believe in his talent, even as they seek to provide him with space to develop elsewhere.
