Details: Why Barcelona star’s January move to Turkey collapsed at the last minute

Barcelona star Ansu Fati was on the verge of a mid-season departure for Turkish heavyweights Besiktas.

That’s according to the latter’s president, who has on Friday provided an insight into just how close his side were to bringing the 22-year-old to Istanbul.

Ansu’s future of course took its place front and centre in the media headlines this past January.

Amid ongoing struggles to convince boss Hansi Flick of his readiness to contribute in Catalunya’s capital, widespread speculation pointed towards a transfer for the winger as being all but assured.

A number of clubs are understood to have expressed an interest in bringing Ansu in on loan for the 2nd half of the term.

And as alluded to above, one such outfit, in the form of Besiktas, at one point thought that they had a deal definitively sewn up.

Speaking to the media on Friday, in quotes gathered by Mundo Deportivo, Besiktas president Serdar Adali explained:

“Fati was in our plans along with Patrick Berg and Samuel Dahl. After the Europa League match against Twente, I intended to bring Fati to Istanbul. We even reached an agreement with Barcelona for his transfer, but on the night of our elimination from the tournament, we were informed that he would not be coming. The player was very excited and his father was also contacted, but our European exit ruined all agreements.”

Conor Laird – GSFN