As Liverpool prepare for the prospect of a midfield overhaul this summer with several first-team players potentially leaving the club, Jurgen Klopp may have already picked out ideal replacements.
The Reds have already reportedly missed out on securing the services of their primary target Aurelien Tchouameni, who looks set to join Real Madrid, but could be about to join the hunt for another of Europe’s wonderkids.
Cue Barcelona and Spanish international midfielder Gavi. The La Masia graduate has enjoyed a breakthrough season this term for the Blaugrana, featuring 47 times in all competitions at just seventeen years old. Gavi has proven integral to Barca manager and club legend Xavi’s efforts to steer the Catalonian outfit back to its best after a turbulent few years.
The youngster has 12 months left on his current contract at the Nou Camp, but could be speaking to clubs a lot earlier than that should one activate his £50 million release clause – with Liverpool said to be prepared to do so.
Xavi however, is desperate to keep the former Betis youth star at Barcelona, as he looks to build a successful squad around homegrown talent due to the club’s financial turmoil.
As per Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona have already tabled a new deal for their starlet with the player said to prefer to extend his stay rather than move elsewhere.
Negotiations between Gavi’s camp and Barcelona will resume in the coming days, after his agent finally received the official proposal for the new contract. 🔵🔴🇪🇸 #FCB
Gavi’s priority is to continue at Barça – while club are offering a five year deal with €1B release clause.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 5, 2022
Gavi’s career exploits for his age are more than impressive, and he already boasts eight caps for the Spanish national team. As well as holding the record of being Spain’s youngest ever player, Gavi became his nation’s youngest ever goalscorer last night with an equaliser on the brink of half-time in a UEFA Nations League clash with Czech Republic.
“He won’t just be the future of the national team, thankfully we can already see he’s the present.”
– Spain boss Luis Enrique on Gavi during his press conference.
Whether Gavi packs his boots and heads to Anfield, or anywhere else for that matter, or decides to keep pulling on the jersey he has worn since he was 11, remains to be seen. If they are to lose out on yet another transfer target, it still seems unlikely Liverpool and Klopp will call it quits in the market this summer.