Barcelona wonderkid Ansu Fati has reportedly emerged as a target for Manchester City who are on the lookout for a replacement for Raheem Sterling.

According to a report from journalist Ekrem Konur, Manchester City have set their sights on Barcelona sensation Ansu Fati as a potential replacement for Raheem Sterling who is angling for an exit.

Sterling has seen his stock within the Manchester City side diminish in recent months, to such an extent that the 26-year-old is now keen on securing an exit from the Etihad Stadium. Barcelona have emerged as a strong suitor for the England international’s services, with the Cityzens slapping an €80 million valuation on him.

Now, it seems like Manchester City are plotting a reverse raid on Barcelona to replace Sterling in case he leaves, with Ansu Fati emerging as the preferred target. The 18-year-old sensation burst onto the scenes during the 2019/20 campaign and immediately became a mainstay in attack despite his tender age.

The teenage prodigy would soon go on to break into the Spanish national team as well and looked set for greater things last season until an injury in November ruled him out for the rest of the campaign. Back to full fitness, Ansu Fati made his return to action prior to the international break and looked at his best during the win over Valencia this past weekend.

To date, the 18-year-old has made 47 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 15 goals and setting up five more. Given his ability to play anywhere across the frontline, his ability on the ball and the penchant to score goals, he would make for an excellent replacement for Sterling at Manchester City.

However, a move for the Spaniard would be extremely hard to pull off for the Premier League champions. Fati is seen as the future of Barcelona and was handed the revered No. 10 jersey this season following the shock departure of Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain.

Even though Ansu Fati’s contract with the Catalan giants runs out at the end of the season, they have the option to extend it by a couple more years. Furthermore, as Ekrem Konur reports, Barcelona are trying to hand him a new deal with improved wages after having recently sealed the contract extension of fellow teenage wonderkid Pedri.

So, as things stand, a transfer to the Etihad seems like a distant possibility. But in case contract talks do not progress as planned, that could leave the door open for Manchester City to swoop.

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