Gavi contract talks: Difference with Barcelona remains 'huge'
Martin Macdonald
- 30 Mar 2022 07:57 CDT
- 3 min read
Barcelona and Gavi still appear to be far away from reaching an agreement on a new contract for the player, according to Spanish outlet Sport.
The young superstar broke into the Barca first-team thanks to Ronald Koeman, who largely had to rely on younger players as he wasn't backed in the transfer market for big-money deals.
It has worked out, though, as Gavi has played plenty under Xavi, too, and crucially can play in a number of positions.
In September of 2021, he became Spain's youngest ever player at the age of 17 years and 62 days.
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He, along with the likes of Pedri, Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres is recognised as the future of Barcelona.
That is why the Blaugrana are scrambling to renew his current contract which expires in the summer of 2023.
A number of high-profile sides from around Europe are interested in purchasing Gavi, including Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Following the January transfer window in which several acquisitions were made, the club promised to turn their attentions to various contract renewals, with Gavi's being the top of the list.
However, according to Sport, the first offer made to the player and his agent Ivan de la Pena was "insufficient".
This has led to Barcelona compiling another offer, but no contact has been made with Gavi since the first round of negotiations.
Could Barcelona sell Gavi?
The only way that Barcelona will consider selling Gavi is if the player asks to leave and they need to gain a transfer fee before his contract expires.
Xavi has previously insisted that he won't be sold, however.
When asked specifically about the club potentially selling assets like Gavi, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, he told reporters:
"We need them, it is very clear," the Spaniard told reporters on Friday.
"In the end, the goal we have is for the footballer to be happy here and we need this type of player. They are playing and making a difference, they are not for sale at all, quite the opposite.
"We want to strengthen them and make them perform at their best. It is not our idea to sell this type of footballer."
