Ronald Koeman confirms agreement in principle for Ansu Fati’s new Barcelona contract

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has confirmed winger Ansu Fati is close to putting pen to paper on a new contract at Camp Nou.

Talks with the 18-year-old have been underway for a while now and reports last week suggested that an agreement was close to being reached – El Clasico against Real Madrid on October 24 was touted as a potential closing date.

Things are moving in that direction now as Koeman has confirmed a deal is in the works and should be wrapped up in the near future.

“I’m told that Barça is close to renewing the contract of Ansu Fati – and it’s big news for Barcelona because we’re talking about a boy that can mark the club’s future,” he said (via Mundo Deportivo).

Barcelona and Fati’s agent, Jorge Mendes, have struck a deal on a contract running until the summer of 2027 which will pay him like the superstar he is growing into. The basic terms have been agreed and it’s now just a case of negotiating the final details.

Talks have dragged on for a little while, but both Fati and Barcelona have always been clear about their desire to strike a deal. The winger has made no secret of his wish to stay at Camp Nou, despite numerous sides from across Europe taking an interest.

Manchester United’s name has been thrown around a lot, but Fati’s focus has always been solely on Barcelona and he appears set to reap the rewards of that.

Fati has already been handed the famous number 10 shirt following Lionel Messi’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain, and team-mate Sergio Aguero admitted the youngster has been doing the number proud in recent weeks.

“Fati is doing very well,” he said (via Sport). “He has a special talent that we have to take advantage of.

“He is young, so we must help him to continue growing. These days it is very difficult to stay at the top level, so us veterans must support him.

“Everyone knows that he is one of those talents that doesn’t come around often.”