Barcelona star Ansu Fati 'prefers' Liverpool move

Barcelona starlet Ansu Fati would prefer to move to a 'top club like Liverpool' if he is forced out of Catalonia, according to one report.

The 20-year-old forward could be a late mover in the transfer window, with SPORT reporting that Tottenham interested in taking Barcelona's number ten on loan.

It is said that both Barça and the player's own entourage are pressuring him to accept the deal, with the Spanish champions looking at bringing in Joao Felix – now back at Atletico Madrid.

However, Fati – once compared to Lionel Messi when he first broke into the Barcelona team as a 16-year-old – isn't so keen on the move, with the report claiming that he would prefer to wait for a 'top club' and is more 'seduced' by the idea of Liverpool or Atletico Madrid.

In a separate article from the same outlet, it is claimed that the Reds have made enquiries about Fati, as well as fellow Barça forward Abde Ezzalzouli.

Liverpool have supposedly asked after the situation of the two attackers in the event that Mohamed Salah could force through an unlikely transfer to the Saudi Pro League, having been the subject of interest from Al Ittihad.

While Jurgen Klopp has shut down suggestions that Salah could leave Anfield this summer, rumours have persisted.

Should Liverpool decide to sell their record Premier League goalscorer, they would need to find a replacement before 11pm BST on Friday, when the European transfer window shuts. The Saudi window remains open until 20 September, meaning Salah speculation may continue for weeks beyond the point where Liverpool could sign his successor.

Fati, who has also been linked with Sevilla, scored 10 times in 51 appearances in all competitions in 2022/23 as Barcelona won La Liga.

However, the young forward has been restricted to cameo appearances off the bench so far this campaign, with manager Xavi preferring a variety of different options in attack – including 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, who impressed in the 4-3 win over Villarreal.