Liverpool have just suffered a blow to their pursuit of Gavi as the wonderkid has now told Barcelona that he has no interest in leaving. The Reds are monitoring his contract dispute.
That is according to 90min, which reports that Gavi has informed Camp Nou chiefs that he is keen to stay. The 18-year-old has every intention of remaining a part of Xavi’s plans past the current season. But La Liga is refusing to register the contract he signed in September.
Barcelona struck an agreement with the Spain sensation about a new deal running to June 2026. Yet La Liga has blocked the Blaugrana from formalising the contract, which featured a €1bn (£876m) release clause. So, the midfielder is due to become a free agent on July 1.
Gavi has told Barcelona his stance on leaving when his contract expires
Gavi had rejected interest from Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain to sign a new contract at Barcelona. It also now remains his priority to stay at the La Liga giants beyond this season. He is a pillar of the side that Xavi has built at Camp Nou.
Xavi has started Gavi in 19 of his 24 La Liga appearances so far this term to help Barcelona top the table. The teenager has also registered one goal and two assists. He has two goals and five assists through 36 appearances across all competitions so far this season, as well.
Are Liverpool still interested in signing Gavi in a free transfer this summer?
While Gavi rejected Liverpool to sign a new contract, the Reds remain interested in his free transfer from Barcelona. The Times notes that Anfield chiefs and their rivals at Manchester City are tracking the Blaugrana’s dispute with La Liga about the registration of his contract.
La Liga refusing to register Gavi’s contract has also encouraged clubs like Liverpool of their chances of his transfer. Spain’s top-flight does not believe Barcelona can afford to register his contract. The Times adds his new terms were due to be worth €8m-a-year (£135k-a/w).
Gavi delighted Xavi when the midfielder put pen to paper on his new contract at Barcelona last September. The Camp Nou boss was full of praise for what the former Real Betis talent gives the Blaugrana. Xavi is also absolute in his trust that Gavi has a big future in Catalunya.
“I’m very happy for Gavi,” Xavi noted, via quotes by One Football. “It is the most important news of the week because he is a player of the present and the future.
“A leader, a heart with legs. He is a player capable of playing whatever you want. He is spectacular. Gavi has matured a lot and plays with fluidity despite being an 18-year-old.”
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