Ansu Fati Set for Fresh Start as He Closes In on Monaco Loan Move

Ansu Fati is ready to hit the reset button once again. The Barcelona forward is on the verge of joining AS Monaco on loan for the upcoming season after both clubs finally reached a full agreement. Fati arrived in the south of France on Thursday and is expected to undergo his medical before sealing the switch.

The deal didn’t come easy. Barcelona were initially hesitant to let Fati leave on a temporary basis, preferring a permanent transfer instead. But after weeks of back-and-forth negotiations, they eventually accepted Monaco’s loan proposal. The French side will cover half of the 22-year-old’s salary for the duration of the season. There’s also an option for Monaco to make the move permanent next summer for around €11 million. 

It’s a fresh chapter for Fati, whose career hasn’t quite followed the script many imagined when he burst onto the scene at Camp Nou as a teenager. Once dubbed Lionel Messi’s natural successor, Fati’s meteoric rise hit a brutal halt following a serious knee injury in November 2020. That setback turned into a lengthy and frustrating spell on the sidelines, and since then, he hasn’t been able to recapture the spark that made him one of Europe’s most exciting young players. 

Last season, he spent time on loan at Brighton in the Premier League, but that move never really got off the ground either. He featured just 19 times and only found the net twice. Returning to Barcelona didn’t change much — under new manager Hansi Flick, Fati barely got a look-in during pre-season preparations, pushing the player and club to seek a new opportunity elsewhere. 

Monaco made their interest clear early, reaching a personal agreement with Fati shortly after the season ended. But their initial offer was turned down, as Barcelona were still hoping for a full sale. Eventually, though, the Catalan side decided to compromise. The move works in their favour too — with the loan helping ease their wage bill and clearing space for Lamine Yamal to take over the iconic No.10 shirt previously worn by Fati. 

Fati will now link up with Monaco’s pre-season camp, which starts on Saturday. He won’t be the only big name arriving at the club this week either. Paul Pogba also landed in Nice on Thursday and is expected to sign a two-year deal with Monaco following his medical, marking his return to football after serving a doping ban.