Ansu Fati’s contract talks with Barcelona stall again as Jorge Mendes ‘rejects £840m transfer release clause’

BARCELONA are desperate to tie wonderkid Ansu Fati down to a new deal.

The 18-year-olds current contract expires at the end of the season, but negotiations regarding an extension are ‘not going well’.

GettyAt just 18-years-old Fati has already played 47 times for Barcelona[/caption]

ReutersHe’s also been capped four times by Spain[/caption]

Fati’s super-agent Jorge Mendes is not happy with the Catalan club’s recent offer, according to outlet El Nacional.

There are said to be two sticking points in the negotiations – the length of any new deal, and the release clause Barca are trying to include.

As they did with Pedri, the Camp Nou side are trying to include a ONE BILLION euros (£840m) release clause.

But Mendes is unwilling to accept the clause which would effectively rule out an ‘escape route’ for Fati should financial turmoil plunge the club into doubt.

He is willing to include a high release clause, but one that can be matched by Europe’s biggest clubs.

Mendes has also demanded a two-year extension from cash-strapped Barca.

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That would mean he could negotiate with them again in 2024 for new mega deal.

But the club would rather Fati signed a long-term extension now with performance bonuses and a yearly salary increase.

It means negotiations between both parties are set to drag on into the New Year despite Fati being eager to stay at Camp Nou.

On the pitch the new Barcelona No10 made his first for nearly a year at the weekend following his injury trauma.

He marked his return to the starting line-up with a goal in the 3-1 win over Valencia – an excellent curling effort from the edge of the box.

The youngster also won a penalty for his side which summer signing Memphis Depay converted.

Fati made his return to action after a long-term knee injury on September 26, coming on as a substitute and scoring in the 3-0 win against Levante.

And when the ball hit the back of the net he celebrated with the Barcelona doctors who helped the La Masia graduate return to full fitness.

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