First Summer Exit? Barça’s No.10 Agrees to Leave: Set to Compete in Ligue 1, A Move with Four Benefits

The 2024-25 season was a triumphant one for FC Barcelona domestically. The Catalan giants secured a remarkable treble, lifting La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup trophies, asserting their dominance in Spanish football once again. At the heart of the team’s success was the clear vision of coach Hansi Flick, who has already secured his contract extension and set about preparing the squad for next season’s challenges.

However, amidst the celebration, a quieter yet significant storyline is unfolding behind the scenes—one that could reshape Barcelona’s squad dynamics heading into 2025-26. The club is moving forward decisively with the departure of Ansu Fati, the player who has worn the prestigious No.10 jersey but has, in recent years, become increasingly peripheral to Barça’s plans.

The Invisible No.10 in a Historic Season

While Barcelona lifted three domestic trophies, Ansu Fati’s season has been far from glorious. His contributions on the pitch have been minimal—marked by recurring injuries and a lack of trust from the coaching staff. Fati’s playing time this season paints a stark picture: only 232 minutes across 6 La Liga matches, 38 minutes over 4 Champions League games, and 28 minutes in a single Copa del Rey match. In total, 11 appearances and under 300 minutes of play, without a single goal or assist.

For a player once heralded as one of the brightest young talents in Europe, these numbers are underwhelming, especially for a club legend in the making who inherited the No.10 shirt, a number loaded with history and expectations after Lionel Messi.

Negotiations and Transfer Progress

Behind the scenes, Ansu Fati’s agent Jorge Mendes has been in ongoing discussions with Barcelona’s management about his client’s future. Trusted football journalist Fabrizio Romano, along with Spanish outlet Relevo, have confirmed that the club is actively pushing for Fati’s transfer this summer, with talks making significant headway.

The French Ligue 1 side AS Monaco is leading the race to acquire Fati. Negotiations between Barça and Monaco have advanced considerably, with Monaco having already tabled a loan offer that includes an option to buy. The agreement is nearly complete, with only a few minor details pending finalization. Crucially, Barcelona has negotiated a clause ensuring a percentage of any future transfer fee should Fati move on from Monaco.

For Fati, Monaco represents an attractive destination. The club finished third in Ligue 1 this season, securing a coveted spot in the next Champions League campaign. Monaco’s ambition to bolster their attacking options aligns perfectly with Fati’s desire for consistent playing time and the chance to prove himself on Europe’s biggest stage once again.

Financial and Sporting Incentives

Fati’s current contract with Barcelona runs until 2027, carrying a hefty post-tax annual salary of approximately €7 million—a considerable financial burden for the club. Earlier in the season, clubs like Benfica and Sporting Lisbon expressed interest in loan deals for Fati, but the player refused to leave, eager to fight for his place at Barça.

However, coach Flick’s stance has been crystal clear for some time: Fati is not part of Barcelona’s core plans going forward. This alignment between management and coaching philosophy means the 22-year-old winger is expected to become the first official departure in Barcelona’s summer overhaul.

The benefits of this transfer are multifaceted:

1. Sporting Opportunity for Fati: A chance to reboot his career with regular minutes at a top-level club competing in the Champions League.

2. Financial Relief for Barcelona: By loaning out Fati, Barça can offload a significant portion of his salary, easing wage bill pressures amid ongoing squad restructuring.

3. Tactical Clarity for Barcelona: Moving Fati clears the way for emerging talents and new signings to take more prominent roles in the attacking setup.

4. Iconic Jersey Reassignment: With Fati’s departure, the coveted No.10 shirt will become available—no surprise, the leading candidate to inherit this iconic number is Yusuf Demir, also known as Yamal.

Yamal: The New Hope and Commercial Asset

Yusuf “Yamal” is seen as the natural successor to take over the No.10 shirt. At just 19, Yamal’s meteoric rise has captured attention beyond Spain. His maturity, vision, and technical ability have positioned him as one of the most promising young talents globally. He is already considered a contender for the Ballon d’Or in the coming years.

Barcelona’s management views Yamal not only as a player capable of leading on the pitch but also as a commercial powerhouse who can help rejuvenate the club’s brand worldwide. Assigning the No.10 jersey to Yamal is a symbolic move that signals a new era—one focused on youth, dynamism, and forward-thinking football.

A Strategic Masterstroke: The “Four Birds with One Stone” Move

If the deal goes through, Fati’s loan to Monaco represents what could be described as a “quadruple win” for all parties involved:

• For Monaco: They acquire a highly talented forward eager to prove himself, potentially boosting their Champions League ambitions.

• For Barcelona: They manage to reduce their wage bill, facilitate squad evolution, and create space for rising stars.

• For Fati: He gains the playing time and European exposure essential for his development and confidence.

• For Yamal: The pathway to become Barcelona’s new No.10, carrying the hopes and expectations of a club rebuilding its identity.

Final Observations

Ansu Fati’s potential exit is a reflection of Barcelona’s broader transformation. Success is no longer just about retaining stars or honoring past legends; it’s about pragmatic decisions, financial sustainability, and preparing the squad for future challenges.

For a player who once seemed destined to carry the weight of Messi’s legacy, this move might initially feel like a setback. Yet, in football, careers are often defined by resilience and adaptability. Monaco offers Fati a platform to rediscover his best form—an opportunity that could reignite his career.

For Barcelona, this transaction signals a willingness to take bold steps, prioritizing long-term vision over sentimentality. As Yamal prepares to don the No.10 jersey, the club’s next chapter begins—not without its challenges, but with a clear sense of direction and ambition.

In a sport driven by constant change, this summer could be the moment Barcelona truly embraces a new dawn, with Fati’s departure marking the end of one story and the exciting beginning of another.