Gavi set for Barcelona extension amid Bayern Munich interest
FT Desk
- 6 Sept 2022 04:00 BST
- 3 min read
Frenkie de Jong may have stayed at Barcelona this summer, but there is still plenty of space for Gavi in the first-team picture at Camp Nou.
Barca were determined to offload De Jong amid their ongoing financial crisis, with Manchester United looking like his most likely destination for much of the transfer window.
But he stayed - not wanting to walk away from €17 million in deferred wages a significant factor - meaning greater competition for Gavi in midfield. Franck Kessie was also signed on a free transfer from AC Milan, and Bayern Munich were sniffing.
😲 Just 17 years old
️⚽️ Already bossing Spain's midfield
👀 The next Iniesta?
Who is Gavi?https://t.co/7H4rAjkHr4 pic.twitter.com/GdenGNK4TS— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) October 12, 2021
The Bundesliga champions have one of the best central midfielders in the world in Joshua Kimmich, but Marcel Sabitzer was for sale and there are fitness concerns around Kimminch's Germany teammate, Leon Goretzka.
Gavi was seen as an ideal candidate for their squad, and one who was potentially available, but now the 18-year-old is set to sign a a long-term contract at Camp Nou.
Gavi convinced by Barca's project
"Despite the interest of clubs like Bayern, the player is more than convinced to continue at Barcelona," ESPN journalist Moises Llorens posted on Twitter.
"Once the market is over and with cleaner agendas, both the club and its agent, Ivan de la Pena, are looking for a date to sign documents."
Gavi came through the La Masia academy alongside Pedri, and made his Barca debut August 2021 in a 2-1 win over Getafe. He concluded his maiden campaign in the first team with 34 La Liga appearances, 28 of them starts.
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This season he has started more games than any of De Jong, Kessie or Sergio Busquets, with Xavi putting his full faith in the teenager.
Liverpool and Manchester United are also reportedly keeping tabs on Gavi, but it appears they will have to break the bank to get him with his release clause set to climb to €1 billion when he signs his new deal, which will run until 2027.
