The young Spanish forward is moving from Can Barça to the Premier League.
Ansu Fati is set to join Brighton & Hove Albion FC, with multiple outlets in Spain and the United Kingdom confirming the deal. The Seagulls, fresh from a standout campaign in which they impressed across Europe, will take Fati on a loan for the season, covering a substantial portion of the striker’s wage and holding a sizable portion of his contractual value for the 2024-2025 period.
Ansu Fati signing for Brighton: reasons for leaving FC Barcelona, contract terms, salary, loan costs, and shirt number
Fati reportedly decided to part ways with Barcelona in the late stages of the transfer window, choosing a path where he could secure regular minutes beyond the familiar surroundings of Camp Nou. The move is framed as a strategic change aimed at revitalizing a career that has faced competition for starting minutes in recent seasons.
In this context, the breakout form of Lamine Yamal, the 16-year-old prodigy who has captivated Barcelona fans with his talent and pace, played a role in shaping Fati’s decision. The sense that Yamal’s emergence would alter the first-team dynamic contributed to Fati’s assessment that a different club could better showcase his abilities and offer a clearer path to regular involvement on match days.
Brighton, with its ambitious project and rapid ascent in English football, emerged as the chosen destination. The deal is a loan for the current campaign with no permanent purchase option attached. Brighton will absorb a large share of Fati’s wage, estimated at around several million euros, and will provide the bulk of the player’s compensation during the loan spell.
Reports from outlets including Mundo Deportivo noted that Sevilla had submitted a competing bid, though it did not meet the terms offered by Brighton. The Sevilla offer was recognized for its potential on the pitch and its personal appeal, yet Brighton presented a package that aligned more closely with Fati’s immediate career goals. The interaction between Fati and Roberto De Zerbi, Brighton’s head coach, was described as constructive, with the coach expressing a clear desire to shape Fati into a franchise player for the club and illustrating the project’s long-term appeal.
Barcelona’s ascent with Fati began under Ernesto Valverde in 2019, when he was integrated into the first team and made his competitive debut as a teenager. At the time, Fati wore the number 31 and quickly announced his arrival with impressive dribbles and goals. Although he is still young, turning 21 in October, his early Barcelona moments are remembered for their impact and promise, marking a notable chapter in the club’s recent history.