According to 90min, there was interest from Liverpool and Manchester City in Barcelona wonderkid Gavi before he recently signed a new four-year contract.
Barcelona included a staggering €1bn (£876m) release clause in the Spain international’s deal, and he has since developed into a key player for Xavi at the Camp Nou.
Just days after winning the Kopa Trophy – awarded to the best youngster in Europe – at the Ballon d’or ceremony in France, Gavi has now won another coveted title.
Gavi named Golden Boy after rejecting Liverpool & Manchester City
Well, the Golden Boy award has been won by some of the greatest names to play the game over the years, such as Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Aguero and Wayne Rooney.
Now, Gavi can count himself among those legends.
The 18-year-old has already racked up 61 appearances for Barcelona, while also winning 12 caps for Spain, and looks set to follow in the footsteps of Xavi and Andres Iniesta after graduating from La Masia.
90min believe Liverpool and Manchester City actually held talks with Gavi before he decided to stay in Catalonia, so Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola will kick themselves after failing to secure his signature.
So far this season, the teenager has made 14 appearances for Barcelona, providing one assist.
Liverpool & Manchester City have their own Gavi
In our view, the Reds and the Citizens shouldn’t be too upset about missing out on Gavi, despite his immense talent.
That is because Klopp and Guardiola already have superb young midfielders of their own to work with in Harvey Elliott and Phil Foden respectively – both are capable of matching whatever Gavi achieves in football.
The talented duo already have vast amounts of Premier League experience, and with two of the best coaches around helping them, the sky really is the limit.
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