When Lionel Messi tearfully said goodbye to Barcelona in 2021, many thought the No. 10 shirt should be locked. The Barcelona management chose not long after to turn around and award the same shirt to an 18-year-old. The ultimate sign of the position the club saw Ansu Fati playing at Camp Nou. Then it narrowed down with injuries and longer stays outside the match arena.

Now there is a 22-year-old with a €1 billion buyout clause, who is not even wanted in Jose Mourinho’s squad in the world’s 15th best league.

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According to Marca, the Spanish winger has been linked with Mourinho and Fenerbahce since the summer. Not unlikely, after we have seen Galatasaray land a loan deal with Victor Osimhen. However, there was no movement with Fati. The 22-year-old started the season with injury, is now facing a lack of playing time with Hansi Flick and, according to various Spanish media, is the player Barcelona have no problem sending out of the club in January.

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Fati needs playing time and the opportunity to play on his confidence after being down in a sporting deep pit in recent seasons, but now the door is closing on Mourinho. According to Marca, the recurring injuries and unstable form have made Mourinho give a thumbs down for Fati.

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