Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has told Arsenal that Ansu Fati is not for sale. The winger has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent weeks, with Manchester United and Tottenham also interested.
The Gunners have been in the market for another wide man for some time and purchased Leandro Trossard for £21million in January as a short-term fix. Ukrainian star Mykhailo Mudryk had been on the Gunners' radar since the summer but London rivals Chelsea hijacked a deal with a £88million move.
Mikel Arteta currently possesses a number of quality options in the winger positions of his efficient 4-3-3 system. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are first choice on either side with Trossard - who scored his first goal for the Gunners in the 1-1 draw with Brentford - and Emile Smith Rowe providing a different choice off the bench.
READ MORE: Arsenal face summer transfer dilemma as AC Milan threaten to ruin Mikel Arteta 2023 plan
However, it's expected that the position will be reassessed at the end of the campaign and Barcelona's Fati has been the subject of speculation linking him with a move across Europe. According to La Vanguardia, Arsenal and Spurs "have been interested" in the Spain international whilst COPE have suggested the Gunners and Manchester United have been in touch with Jorge Mendes regarding his situation.
Fati has struggled for form recently and has faced plenty of criticism after failing to recapture the performances that saw him burst onto the scene in 2019. Extended spells on the sidelines have hindered his development and he has mainly been used off the bench by Xavi this season.
The 20-year-old has started just seven La Liga games and has suffered from the Catalonia side’s mass spending in the summer. His lack of game time has left the Gunners on red alert of possibly acquiring his services, but Xavi has sent any interested clubs a message regarding any future transfer.
"For me, yes, he is non-transferable," the Barca boss said. "There is no one transferable at this point. I don't understand why we talk about these things, about the sale of Ansu, especially in the Barcelona environment, now that the market has ended.
“He is a fundamental player for us. I have extraordinary confidence in him and tremendous hope. He is a player of the present and future. I tell him that we expect a lot from him and I have blind trust in you.
"I have a lot of confidence with everyone, especially with Ansu. He must be patient and go little by little. They want to go too fast. I spent three years with the No. 26.”
READ NEXT:
Arsenal player ratings vs Brentford as Alex Zinchenko poor but Leandro Trossard makes impact
New Declan Rice transfer price revealed as Arsenal and Chelsea offered Rio Ferdinand advice
Gabriel Jesus' next step after Arsenal return revealed as Mikel Arteta issues timeline warning
Martin Odegaard reveals what happened in Arsenal training after Premier League defeat vs Everton
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
