Dani Alves has told Sport how Gavi stunned him since returning to Barcelona in November, and how the ‘aggressive’ reported Liverpool transfer target has the potential to be an icon.
Xavi Hernandez made Alves his first signing as Blaugrana coach after the Camp Nou legend returned to replace Ronald Koeman. The Brazilian played 289 times with the Spaniard over seven years in Catalunya, which returned three Champions League and five La Liga titles.
Now, Alves believes Gavi and fellow Barcelona gem Pedri have the potential to follow Xavi and Andres Iniesta in becoming icons. Gavi, despite only being 17, has played 37 first-team games in all competitions, starting 27, while also already striking two goals and five assists.
Gavi began establishing himself as a key player under Koeman this season, and has built on those efforts with Xavi. Both of his goals and four assists have come since the Catalan side changed head coach – including netting the second goal in a 4-2 win over Atletico Madrid.
Dani Alves feels Liverpool target Gavi has ‘everything’ to be a Barcelona icon
Barcelona are now working to secure their academy graduate’s long-term future as the six-cap Spain international’s deal expires in 2023. Per Sport, the teenager is still currently on a youth contract worth €100k-a-year (£1.5k-a/w). It also has a €50m (£42m) release clause.
The Blaugrana hope to raise the exit fee to €1bn (£835m) with new terms, while talks over a new contract started months ago. But Barcelona face competition, with Liverpool making Gavi a €6m-a-year (£96k-a/w) contract offer for a transfer to Anfield, per Gerard Romero.
Jurgen Klopp would likely have to trigger the release clause in the Valencia native’s current terms for a deal this summer. But Alves is clearly confident his Barcelona teammate Gavi is set for a big future, that he hopes is at the Camp Nou and not after a transfer to Liverpool.
“It has been a pleasant surprise for me,” Alves said. “Despite following Barca, I didn’t know him. He is a player with incredible quality who, moreover, has that point of competitive madness. He is more aggressive than Pedri.
“Without wanting to fire off too many rockets, I think that they are two players who can mark an era like Xavi and Iniesta did because of their qualities and the desire they have. Today’s football is a little different, but they have everything to succeed.”
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