Spanish attacker Ansu Fati is poised to join Brighton on a season-long loan from Barcelona.
Fati has dropped down the pecking order at Barcelona, which has to make room in their roster for Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo to join them on loan.
Brighton’s offer for the 20-year-old does not include a purchase obligation.
Fati was also connected with Tottenham, although he is said to have been impressed with Brighton’s style of play under manager Roberto de Zerbi.
If the move goes through as planned, it will be a huge coup for Brighton, who will be playing European football for the first time this season after qualifying for the Europa League.
Ansu, who was born in Guinea-Bissau but opted to play for Spain and was a member of their World Cup squad last year, is widely regarded as one of the game’s most promising young players.
In 2021, he agreed to a new contract with Barcelona that would last until 2027 and feature a 1 billion euro buyout clause.
