Ansu Fati has agreed to join Brighton & Hove Albion on loan from Barcelona.

The 20-year-old won La Liga with the Catalan giants in 2022-23, appearing in 36 league games and contributing 10 goals.

Fati graduated from the club’s academy in the summer of 2019 and has since appeared 112 times for Xavi’s side, scoring 29 goals from an attacking position.

The winger has also garnered some international experience, having made nine appearances for Spain since his debut in the summer of 2020.

Brighton are coming in on the acquisition of Fati from Barcelona, according to journalist David Ornstein, with just over a day remaining in the summer transfer window.

Ansu Fati celebrates scoring for Barcelona on September 10, 2022
© Reuters

The report claims that the deal for the Spaniard would be a loan one for the 2023-24 campaign, meaning the winger would help the Seagulls during their Europa League campaign.

Roberto De Zerbi helped the South Coast club to a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League last term, resulting in European football for the first time in the team’s history.

It is understood that Brighton would have no obligation or option to purchase Fati permanently at the end of the loan spell, with Barca still viewing the attacker as someone who has a part to play in the club’s future.

A temporary switch to the Premier League is said to be close for the 20-year-old, with the player reportedly set to land in England on Thursday ahead of the transfer deadline at 11pm on Friday.

The report also adds that Brighton are not the only English club interested in the capture of Fati, with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur also understood to be admirers of the nine-time international.

Ansu Fati celebrates scoring for Barcelona on August 21, 2022

The two London clubs are thought to be monitoring the winger’s status as the summer window closes, although De Zerbi’s Seagulls are presently in pole position to sign him.

Brighton won back-to-back Premier League games against Luton Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers before falling to West Ham United at the London Stadium on Saturday.

With Alexis MacAllister and Moises Caicedo departing for a combined total of £147 million this summer, the Seagulls are once again attempting to rebuild their side after high-profile departures.

Carlos Baleba joined from Ligue 1 club Lille earlier this week, with De Zerbi hoping the Cameroonian can step in for the departing Caicedo.

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