Report: ‘Incredible’ £43m star rejecting new deal knowing Liverpool want him
Gavi is currently delaying signing a new contract with Barcelona as the Spaniard is aware of
interest from Liverpool in his possible transfer, along with rival admiration from some of Europe’s
top teams.
That’s according to La Repubblica, who report Blaugrana president Joan Laporta is determined
to see Gavi pen fresh terms.
He is loath to let the midfielder leave the Camp Nou amid risk of the Barcelona product
leaving Catalunya for free next year, with his existing terms set to enter the final
12 months.
Gavi has thrust his name to the top of Barcelona’s list of priorities this summer after cementing
a key first-team role under boss Xavi Hernandez this season.
The 17-year-old made his senior debut under Ronald Koeman in August, yet ended the term
with 47 appearances and having started in 36 games.
Xavi also helped Gavi unlock his creative threat at the first-team level with five of
the teenager’s six assists.
He also scored twice after failing to find the net and creating just one goal in 11 outings
with Koeman at the helm.
Additionally, Gavi only started in six of his appearances under the Dutchman.
Now, Gavi is highly in-demand across Europe as one of the continent’s elite rising stars
after a strong surprise season.
Several top clubs appreciate what the Seville native demonstrated during his senior breakthrough,
with many now prepared to step in should Laporta fail to agree terms for a new deal.
AC Milan sit on the front row as clubs line up for the versatile seven-cap international,
who made his senior Roja debut in October.
But the Rossoneri trail pole sitters Liverpool, as Gavi is holding out on a new contract with
Barcelona, aware that the Reds are also showing concrete interest in his services.
Gavi would not be opposed to leaving Barcelona this year if a European side advances their
interest, TuttoMercatoWEB add.
The Italian publication also cites Liverpool as the most probable destination for the wonderkid,
as the club has already expressed their interest in a transfer on several occasions.
Reports by Sport additionally note the Anfield hierarchy are ready to pay the €50m (£43m)
release clause in Gavi’s existing contract.
Liverpool chiefs are also prepared to blow Barcelona’s offer out of the water and hand
Gavi a much higher salary.
But he does not want to leave simply for the money.
Jurgen Klopp, then, could still have some convincing to do for Liverpool to sign Gavi
from Barcelona this summer.
Even if he is holding out on signing a new contract aware that the Reds are interested.
Gavi would offer Klopp more than just his creativity in the Anfield engine room with
a move over the summer, if the German’s sales pitch proves successful.
Dani Alves has lauded Gavi for his combative streak, telling Sport in April: “It has
been a pleasant surprise for me [to see his impact this season].
“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 [Andres] Iniesta.”