Gavi’s injury is a hit that Barcelona undoubtedly did not want to take. The Catalan giants are left without one of their most versatile and passionate players. Despite only being 19, many would label Gavi as the beating heart of this Barcelona side.
His loss takes a significant name off the midfield depth for potentially the rest of the season. La Blaugrana will have thus have to make do without him. However, they can still look for potential replacements in January.
The winter transfer window will allow Barcelona to navigate the market for a possible substitute. As per SPORT, the substitute that holds the most chances of being the chosen one is Guido Rodriguez.
A midfielder for the Argentine National team and La Liga side Real Betis, he has ample amounts of experience under his belt. Moreover, aged 29, he brings about a guaranteed quality that would have an instant impact.
Still in his prime, he primarily acts as a defensive midfielder. Thus, his potential arrival could allow Ilkay Gundogan to play in a more natural interior or box-to-box role. To do this, however, Barcelona will also need to look at the financial side of things.
With his contract coming to an end in the summer of 2024 and Rodriguez not looking likely to extend, Real Betis are set to lose him for free. However, Barcelona could afford to give them a bit of a good deal in the winter.
While technically, it would be a 6-month loan deal that Barcelona are looking for. However, to understand what Betis could gain by loaning him away for 6 months in the middle of the season, other factors and transfers are to be looked at.
Juan Miranda, for instance, is a player that Betis wish to sell in January. However, 40% of that sale is expected to go to Barcelona. This could potentially be waved off in order to facilitate the Argentinian’s arrival.
Another possibility could be the future of Chadi Riad. With Betis hoping to take over all of his future rights, Barcelona could be willing to extend an opportunity to do so in order to find a reasonable solution for all parties involved.
Despite these possible options that Barcelona could look to exploit, they will tread carefully. The Catalan giants are certain that they will not make a signing just for the sake of making it. Careful considerations will first be taken into account and only then will a final verdict or decision be taken by Barcelona.
