Barcelona president Joan Laporta boldly exclaimed that the Catalan club was ‘not a selling club’, despite the financial pressure the team is currently under.
Laporta explained that Barcelona had received several offers for players currently contracted, but the team were not under any pressure to sell anyone:
"“There are offers for [Andreas] Christensen, for Pedri, for Gavi, for [Ronald] Araujo, for [Marc-Andre] Ter Stegen, for Ansu Fati, for Raphinha, for [Alejandro] Balde. But, we are not a selling club.”"
One interesting name there is Ansu Fati, who has been linked with a move away from Camp Nou all summer, with Premier League teams Wolves and West Hame showing considerable interest.
Fati linked with a move away from Barcelona
At one point it was believed that Barcelona would be open to selling Fati, who’s been considered one of the star future players in world football, only for his career to be derailed by numerous injuries to date.
But Fati seems intent to remain at Barcelona having told Mundo Deportivo earlier this month:
"“I have a contract with Barcelona and my intention is to continue to improve and grow here. That is my intention. I have a contract and I’m happy. Both at my club and with the national team”"
Joan Laporta reiterated this stance, predicting Fati would remain at Barcelona, but that he’d need to earn the trust of Xavi if he hoped to make an impact this season.
The Blaugrana have been tipped to sign attackers Arda Gular and Vitor Roque this Summer, after already securing the signing of İlkay Gündoğan.
"“Let him continue. He has to earn Xavi’s trust and, when he takes to the pitch, he has to make a difference because he has the talent to do it.”"
Fati started in just 15 games for Barca in La Liga over two seasons but managed to stay relatively injury-free last term scoring seven league goals in total.
At just 20 years of age, Fati has plenty of time to force a breakthrough at Barcelona, and the Catalan club won’t want to give up on a talent like Fati too early.