AS Monaco ready to activate clause to sign Barcelona outcast but with certain conditions | OneFootball

As Barcelona look to return to a 1:1 rule this coming summer, a key factor will be the club’s ability to offload unwanted stars with efficiency, in an attempt to lower the wage bill and gain fresh revenue.

One of the players Barcelona could sell to do just that is Ansu Fati. The forward spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Monaco, who have an option to sign the player permanently this coming summer.

Monaco keen, but want wage reduction

According to Mundo Deportivo, Monaco are indeed prepared to activate the €11 million purchase option included in Fati’s loan agreement, but the deal is not straightforward.

Despite contributing nine goals in 25 appearances and playing a key role in Monaco’s push for European qualification, the French club are unwilling to meet the financial terms attached to a permanent deal in their current form.

The sticking point is Fati’s salary, which is considered too high for a Ligue 1 outfit.

What’s in store for Ansu Fati this summer? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

This season, the financial burden has been shared between Monaco and Barcelona, with the Catalan club covering a significant portion of his wages.

Any permanent transfer would require Fati to accept a substantial reduction in his salary to align with the financial realities of French football.

Before departing on loan, Fati had signed a contract extension with Barcelona running until June 2028, with part of his salary deferred.

The loan agreement also includes a buy-back clause in Barcelona’s favour for just over €25 million, ensuring the club retain some control over his long-term future should they wish to bring him back.

For Barcelona, a sale at €11 million may not represent a significant windfall, but offloading his wages entirely would go a long way in helping the club’s financial restructuring ahead of the summer window.