Opinion: Arsenal handed potential boost as Xavi leaves the door open for Ansu Fati’s exit

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has left the door open for Ansu Fati to leave this summer, which could hand Arsenal a huge transfer boost.

The Gunners were first linked with the Spain international in February, and reports emerged on Sunday that they are serious about signing him this summer and have already tabled a ‘very tempting offer’.

While Fati was said to have knocked back their proposal, it appears Barca are indeed open to cashing out on the 20-year-old given their financial shortcomings, which could give Arsenal a real chance of landing him.

“We will see, we depend a lot on Fair Play, he is training and playing very well, but there is a market until August 31,” Xavi told journalists last night when asked about the future of the La Masia graduate.

Arsenal want to bolster their attack and could look to land a forward capable of playing as a number 9 after Gabriel Jesus got injured.

The Brazil international striker is out of action for a few weeks after undergoing surgery following a knee injury.

Fati started his career playing as a central striker and is capable of giving both Jesus and Eddie Nketiah a run for their money.

While he is naturally right-footed, Fati is also capable of playing on the right flank, as a false 9, as a second striker, as a number 11, or in a free role as an attacking midfielder or number 10.

He wants to play regularly and Ousmane Dembele’s potential exit would offer him that chance at Barcelona.

However, the club will find it hard to turn down a tempting bid, and whether Arsenal’s ‘very tempting offer’ is still on the table and can get the job done remains to be seen.

They are about to make their fourth signing of the summer in Brentford goalkeeper David Raya following the earlier recruitments of Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice.

Another outfield signing could be next, and it will be interesting to see whether their reported interest in the Barcelona star is real.