The future of Ansu Fati remains one of the big question marks of the summer transfer window — and now AS Monaco has joined the list of clubs interested in signing the FC Barcelona forward. According to Mundo Deportivo, the team from the principality has already made initial moves to assess the possibility of bringing in the young attacker, who’s fallen down the pecking order at Barça and seems open to a fresh start elsewhere.

Lack of minutes and high wages at the heart of the move

At just 22 and under contract with Barcelona until 2027, Fati could become one of the headline departures of the summer. After a season in which he barely played — only 298 minutes across 11 games — he failed to win the trust of Hansi Flick, who opted for other attacking options. On top of that, his wages — around $12 million gross per year, set to rise to $14 million by the 2026/27 season — are seen as a financial burden the Catalan club is willing to offload.

A fresh start in French football

AS Monaco, led by Adi Hütter, finished third in Ligue 1 and will be playing in next season’s Champions League — a major draw for Fati, who’s looking to get his career back on track away from the Camp Nou. Reports suggest that Barcelona would prefer a permanent transfer — not a loan — and are open to offers in the region of $26 million, which would also help ease their financial situation.

Both club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco have hinted that Fati needs more playing time, something he’s unlikely to get in the current squad. While the player has expressed a desire to succeed at Barça, sources close to him suggest that the time may have come to find regular minutes and renewed confidence somewhere else.

In that sense, AS Monaco’s sporting project, their European ambitions, and the chance to play a more prominent role could be key factors in convincing Ansu Fati to take the leap to French football — and bring an end to a Barcelona chapter that started with high hopes but has been overshadowed by injuries and inconsistency.