Barca could lose Gavi for €50m as contract talks drag on

Robin Bairner

• 18 Dec 2021 15:06 CST
• 3 min read

Barcelona prodigy Gavi enhanced his growing reputation on Saturday with a stunning goal in the Catalans’ 3-2 victory over Elche, but the Camp Nou side’s inability to tie down the 17-year-old to a new deal has his future in doubt.

In what has been a trying year for Barcelona because of their crippling financial problems, Gavi has been a shining light.

A graduate from La Masia, he debuted against Getafe in August and has since become a fixture in the side.

So strong have been his performances, he has quickly been promoted to the senior Spain team after playing previously for the U18s. Indeed, in many pundits’ eyes, he was the outstanding player of the recent Nations League finals in Italy.

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On Saturday, he netted his first goal for Barcelona – and it was an effort worth waiting for.

After turning his marker brilliantly in midfield, he showed strength to hold off an opponent before dancing by another and planting a right-footed shot into the corner of the net.

It was a world-class goal entirely fitting of his reputation.

But for Barcelona, there is a lingering doubt over the player’s future.

Although Gavi has a contract that runs until 2023, he has a release clause in that deal worth €50 million, which El Nacional reports Paris Saint-Germain are interested in triggering.

Barca have been in negotiations with Gavi over improving his contract but nothing has yet been thrashed out.

PSG, meanwhile, are willing to both meet his release clause and offer the young midfielder a far more handsome contract than Barca are willing to offer.

Will Gavi leave Barcelona?

The threat of Gavi leaving Barcelona remains a slim one for the moment.

While it is becoming increasingly apparent that €50m might represent a shrewd investment in such a gifted youngster, Gavi’s intention is to remain at Barca for years to come.

Indeed, the manner in which he celebrated his first goal for the club, kissing the badge, suggests that he has no intention of leaving.

Having been placed firmly at the heart of Xavi’s long-term renovation plans at Barcelona, Gavi would be well advised to turn down short-term gain in order to continue his development at a club that perfectly suits his development in the long term.