Gavi signs new Barcelona contract: The clubs he leaves disappointed

FT Desk

14 Sept 2022 11:30 BST
3 min read

Gavi has extend his Barcelona contract until June 2026, with the club setting his buy-out clause at €1 billion. Which clubs be most disappointed to miss out on the Spanish prodigy?

Article continues under the video

Gavi has been a revelation since breaking into the Barcelona first team last season, earning comparisons with Xavi and Andres Iniesta with his anticipation, intelligence and technique in the central midfield areas.

But with the club signing Franck Kessie from AC Milan this summer and strongly linked with a move for Manchester City's Bernardo Silva, it wasn't certain that Gavi would extend. Five La Liga starts out of five later and Gavi is sufficiently reassured.

Gavi has signed a new Barcelona contract with a one billion euro release clause 🤑 pic.twitter.com/1y8eIJXbW4
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) September 14, 2022

Who else wanted Gavi

Liverpool were the most recently linked with a move for the Spanish 18-year-old. The Reds have been desperate to reinforce in central midfield with Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain all injured at the start of this season.

The Reds have a long-standing interest in Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham, but where understood to be willing to treble Gavi's wages if he would move to Anfield sooner than the Englishman became available.

Manchester City, who pipped Liverpool to the Premier League title, where also interested in the midfielder, especially if Bernardo had moved the other way. Pep Guardiola made it clear he wouldn't block Silva's path to Barca, but Gavi was stalling on his renewal most when the Bernardo negotiations were underway.

Joining fellow Catalan Guardiola - who used to play in the same position - would have been an ideal Plan B for Gavi, and indeed a Plan A for City.

Finally, Bayern Munich were the most closely linked with a move for Gavi. Leon Goretzka has endured an injury-ravaged spell at the Allianz Arena, and Gavi was seen as a perfect solution alongside Joshua Kimmich in central midfield.

Ryan Gravenberch hasn't yet been trusted since his €23m arrival from Ajax, and Marcel Sabitzer was for sale before his second wind at the start of this season.