BARCELONA attacker Ansu Fati has agreed a new six-year deal and become the second player from the club to have his buy-out clause set at 1 billion euros (US$1.16 billion), sources said Wednesday. Ansu’s previous deal was due to expire at the end of the season and sources told ESPN that his agent, Jorge Mendes, had fielded calls from some of Europe’s biggest teams. From Jan. 1, Ansu would have been free to speak to other clubs about a potential free transfer next summer, but sources add he made it clear to Barca it was his desire to stay at Camp Nou. The Spain international is seen as key to the club’s future in the post-Lionel Messi era and has even inherited the No. 10 shirt previously worn by the Argentina star. Sources also revealed that the player’s new deal will include a staggered salary, which increases each season. The release clause in the contract, meanwhile, has risen to a club-record 1 billion euros, matching the figure included in the terms signed by young midfielder Pedri recently. Ansu’s previous contract — which was negotiated by his ex-agent, Rodrigo Messi — included an option to extend by two years, but there was confusion over whether Barca would be able to execute it unilaterally. Ansu only returned from injury in September after 10 months on the sidelines with a knee injury but he has made an instant impact. In his first game back this term, he came off the bench to score against Levante and he also marked his first start since last November with a goal in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Valencia. He first broke onto the scene in 2019, becoming the club’s youngest debutant in 78 years when he featured in a 5-2 win against Betis aged 16 years and 298 days. A week later, he became the club’s youngest goalscorer in La Liga when he netted against Osasuna, and in December of that year, his winning goal against Inter Milan made him the youngest scorer in the Champions League.(SD-Agencies) | 