Breaking: Ansu Fati signs contract extension at Barcelona

Ansu Fati against Villarreal CF in La Liga.
Ansu Fati against Villarreal CF in La Liga.

FC Barcelona have agreed terms with teenage sensation Ansu Fati in a deal which extends his stay till 2022, which is 'extendable by two more seasons'. The renewed contract will see the young attacker earn increased wages, in addition to an increase in the release clause to €170 million. Earlier, Fati's buyout clause was reported to be €100 million.

The 17-year-old is yet to sign a professional contract with FC Barcelona, and once he does so, the release clause shall increase to a further €400 million. He is expected to sign a professional contract once he turns 18.

Fati made his Barcelona senior debut in August, coming on as a substitute in a 5-2 win over Real Betis at Nou Camp. He scored his first goal in a 2-2 draw against Osasuna, which made him the youngest ever goal-scorer in the La Liga history.

Since then, there have been reports of interest in the teenager by Spanish and European clubs which triggered Barcelona to increase his buyout clause by a further €100 million, but it seems the Blaugrana have settled on the figure of €170 million.

An interesting piece of trivia is that Lionel Messi's brother, Rodrigo Messi, holds a huge hand in this contract renewal deal, being the personal advisor to Ansu Fati. He apparently holds a liaison between Fati, his father, and the club.

After Barcelona announced the contract renewal, Fati credited his progress to the club's youth academy, La Masia while adding that training at the academy has shaped his overall game.

"La Masía is for me the best school in the world. hey helped me in everything from the first day I arrived and I am very grateful to the people who work there. Everyone is spectacular. From the first day, I learned a lot from everyone. Also in difficult times, because they have always been there to support me."

Fati was an unused substitute when Barcelona played Atletico away at the Wanda Metropolitano last weekend, but he will be challenging for a place in the starting lineup when the La Liga champions host Mallorca this weekend, before they travel to Italy to face Inter in the Champions League.

Also check out: La Liga La Liga fixtures La liga table 2019-20

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Edited by Vishal Subramanian