Arsenal are considering an incredible swoop for FC Barcelona prodigy Ansu Fati, who has been subject to speculation over his future recently…
What’s the word?
According to Spanish outlet La Vanguardia (Wednesday edition, page 39), Edu is looking to compete against fierce north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of the young ace.
The Premier League suitors both view the Spanish starlet as a long-term investment, and despite his injury troubles throughout the maiden phase of his professional career, the scope of his skill set is boundless.
Fati is reported to have grown unsettled with his lack of game time, and could be granted a departure from la Blaugrana if he instigates the first move, but with a remarkable release clause of €1bn (£885m), a move would only materialise with some heavy negotiation.
Their own Salah
Fati turned heads from all angles when he first burst onto the scene in Spain, dazzling as a 17-year-old in La Liga and chalking up seven goals and an assist from just 11 starts.
Progress was, however, detrimentally hindered when the now 20-year-old ace suffered a serious knee injury versus Real Betis in November 2020 that ruled him out of competitive action for the remainder of the season.
The “generational” talent – as dubbed by Barca boss Xavi – would continue to be plagued by setbacks until finally finding his feet and playing with regularity this term, although he is now resigned to a more peripheral role following the emergence of Ferran Torres and Gavi in this new-look Barcelona outfit.
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Regardless, the quality brimming from Fati’s boots is but a dream for the majority of the crop of aspiring starlets, and with a total of 25 goals and nine assists from just 89 appearances for his outfit since breaking into contention with the senior set-up, there is evidently world-class potential for this wily winger if the cogs indeed slot into place.
At Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, the ascension that Fati has striven for could solidify, and with FBref ranking him among the top 1% of positional peers in Europe for total shots and pass completion, and the top 16% for rate of assists, he would certainly bolster the ranks with a dynamic toolkit.
Mohamed Salah is listed as a comparable player on the statistical site, and with a transfer the Premier League side, it could mould him into a prolific monster to devastate defences for years to come.
Salah has been integral for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool since signing from AS Roma for £34m in 2017, and the Egyptian has since gone on to plunder an incredible 173 goals and 70 assists from 285 outings, winning a plethora of major honours such as the Premier League and the Champions League.
Comparing the two, they are rather alike when it comes to their shot-creating actions, of which Fati registers 3.12 per 90 and Salah, 3.75 as a marker of their ability to make things happen.
It is perhaps their fleet-footedness that sticks out the most, though, with pair able to carry the ball forward in a ruthless fashion. For instance, the Egyptian wizard has registered 2.59 progressive carries over 90 minutes compared to the Barca gem’s 2.67.
Indeed, with Fati already a prolific presence with his output and slick with his passing play, Arteta would need only ensure his clinical hunger grows as he blossoms into one of the world’s most destructive forces.
The Gunners’ erudite manager has placed a discernible emphasis on youth, nurturing and developing Arsenal’s talented Hale End prospects and unleashing them into the first-team; this has been a resounding success.
According to Transfermarkt, the north London outfit boast the youngest squad in the Premier League, and despite this, they perch augustly atop the league table.
Goal stated that Fati is the “Jewel of La Masia”, and with a transfer to England, there is no reason why Arteta cannot craft him into a scintillating Salah-esque diamond.