Before the Christmas break, Hansi Flick spoke with him. He told him to his face: "it's better for you to find a team; you're not going to play here."
They talked about a loan. Flick doesn't give up on enjoying his quality, but at this moment he's not ready to play for a team with Barça's demands. The coach guaranteed that if he earns a spot at Barça in another team, he won't prevent his return.
Out of the List of 22 Called-up Players
Ansu Fati was left out of the list for the Super Cup semifinals and final. He's also not on the list of players drafted for the Barça-Betis Copa match. He simply doesn't count for Flick, who hasn't included him in the extensive list of 22 players.
He hasn't counted on him at all in recent matches, even though he's physically at his peak. However, he still hasn't regained the form he showed four years ago, before his injury ordeal began.
His absence in today's match is extremely telling. Normally, those who don't usually play in the League and Champions League get their chance in the Copa. That's not his case.
He Needs to Work Harder
Flick has urged the club to help him find a team. Jorge Mendes, his agent, won't take long to find one. The player has come to terms with the idea that he must prove elsewhere that he's capable of playing for Barça.
His previous loan to Brighton didn't contribute anything to the progression of his career. However, both Flick and Deco hope the new loan will be definitive. If he doesn't excel in his new destination, he won't return to Barça.
In the press conference before tonight's match, Flick sent him a clear message: "I'm honest with everyone, I've spoken with him. I told him upon arrival that he's ready to be a professional and show great performance."
He added: "He got injured, but after the injury, he didn't show us his hundred percent. It's a shame for him and for us. He didn't give it his all, he has to work like everyone else and give his best, that's what we want from him."
Three Spanish Teams and Cesc Fàbregas's Como
Flick didn't deny that "we're very happy with him," but left in the air the notion of "he must work harder." Probably that's why he's only played 186 minutes (two full matches broken into minutes) so far this season. And since mid-November, he's only played 28 minutes in Barbastro.
Barça is already working with his agent Jorge Mendes to find a destination for him, who has already come to terms with leaving Barça.
Girona, Valencia, and Betis are the teams that have already shown interest in him, according to the Sport newspaper. Although until a month ago, Barça had his loan agreed with Sevilla. However, the Andalusian club's belligerence in the Olmo case has removed them from Barça's business list.
MB has learned of Como's interest, Cesc Fàbregas's team, in integrating him into their team. There are his former teammates Sergi Roberto, Pepe Reina, Alberto Moreno, and the former Real Madrid player Nico Paz.
The Number 10 He Inherited from Messi is Vacant Again
Ansu Fati is only 22 years old, although he may seem like a veteran. Flick wants him out of Barça within 15 days. That is, Ansu Fati will leave before the winter market closes and won't reach February in the blaugrana discipline.
The number 10 he inherited from Leo Messi on his jersey is vacant again. The shots point to it going to Lamine Yamal, but Hansi Flick isn't very supportive. Too young for such a high responsibility.