Brighton are close to an agreement with Barcelona over Ansu Fati as Roberto de Zerbi’s side prepare to seal loan move for LaLiga wonderkid

Brighton  are closing on the surprise loan signing of Ansu Fati from Barcelona.

The 20-year-old Spain forward will travel to England on Thursday after being convinced by Brighton’s style and the coaching of Roberto de Zerbi. 

The deal will be a straight loan without an option or obligation to buy as he hopes to figure for Barcelona again next season.

Fati, who has nine caps for Spain, is regarded as one of Barcelona’s most promising talents. He won La Liga with Barca last season, scoring seven goals in 36 league matches but has fallen down the pecking order with their array of attacking talent and the emergence of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal.

Fati’s father Bori has been pushing for him to leave and despite interest from Tottenham and Chelsea, he has opted for Brighton.

Tottenham also held discussions over Fati but with their foreign quota already stretched they are looking at a homegrown signing with Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson in their sights.

Brighton are closing in on an agreement with Barcelona over a surprise loan deal for Spain forward Ansu Fati

Brentford have been continuing talks despite having a £43m bid rejected for Johnson on Monday but Tottenham are expected to bid today with the option of including players also from Ange Postecoglou’s squad.

Tottenham are in talks with Atletico Madrid over a loan deal for Pierre Emile Hojbjerg while Inter Milan want to take Tanguy Ndombele on loan.