This may be the good news Cules have been waiting for as Pablo Gavi’s contractual situation is on the verge of being resolved once and for all as the club is working to generate the required space in the wage bill to register the teenager.
The Spain international is integral to Xavi’s plans and played 47 games across all competitions last season. He has featured in all four of Barcelona’s opening La Liga matches this season as the Catalan giants sit second in the La Liga table behind rivals Real Madrid with three wins and a draw. He has also become a regular for Luis Enrique’s La Roja and picked up 10 impressive international caps since his debut last year.
Barca’s plan was for the teenager to sign his new long-term contract when he turned 18 on August 5. However, that was not possible due to the club’s financial issues which saw them struggle to register new signings.
The delay has rekindled interest from a host of top clubs across Europe who are keenly monitoring the young La Masia prodigy’s situation. Bayern lead the list and according to reports in Bild, the Bavarians are ‘keen to bring in the young midfielder’, and are watching to see if he ‘renews his contract at Barca.
Man City, United, Chelsea, and Liverpool have all held meetings about Gavi in recent weeks to keep abreast of his situation. A non-renewal would mean that the player will be a free agent next summer.
None of the English clubs are believed to have made an offer in the recent transfer window despite Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool being short on midfielders given their recent injury struggles. Former Barca player Arthur Melo has been brought in as a short-term replacement, but the Reds are on the lookout for a young, energetic profile in the middle of the park.
Despite a sluggish start at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan this weekend before assuming complete control from the 20th minute onwards, Gavi stole the headlines in Barca’s dominating performance and was the MOTM. Here are his stats from the match:
• Most distance covered (11.3 km)
• Most duels contested (16) – won 8
• Most passes in final 3rd (19)
• Most ball recoveries in the opposition half (2)
• Most fouls won (5)
• Most fouls committed (5)
• 2nd most ball recoveries (7)
Xavi reserved special praise for one of La Masia’s finest graduates as he discussed the midfielder’s influence on the team.
“It doesn’t surprise me, I see him train every day. It’s down to hard work, discipline and heart. He was the best player in the game, because of his intensity, fight, passing, high pressing – he has heart in his legs.”
Barcelona remains firm in their belief and are confident that Gavi will pen a new long-term contract very soon. There are reports that Miralem Pjanic has received an offer to leave Barcelona from UAE club Sharjah Fc and could move on.
According to Spanish journalist Ferran Correas, Pjanic will travel to UAE next week and progress has been made in negotiations to terminate his contract. He will leave for free. This could free up space in Barca’s wage bill and the early renewal of Gavi could become possible. Barcelona would like to tie their prized asset down and put an end to emerging interest from Europe’s top clubs.
