Liverpool are reportedly ready to trigger the €50 million release clause in the contract of Barcelona midfield prodigy Gavi this summer.
According to SPORT, Liverpool are ready to pounce on the stalemate in contract negotiations between Barcelona and Gavi and trigger the young midfielder’s €50 million release clause in the upcoming transfer window.
A product of the La Masia youth academy, Gavi broke into the first team at Barcelona this past season, with Ronald Koeman handing the teenager his debut. And the 17-year-old has not looked back since, going on to establish himself as a regular in the starting XI, first under Koeman and then Xavi Hernandez.
Gavi finished the 2021/22 season with 46 appearances in all competitions, bagging two goals and six assists in the process. At the same time, the midfielder has also broken into the Spanish national team and has earned six caps for La Roja.
Gavi’s progress in his debut season has alerted several top clubs across Europe, none more so than Liverpool. And the fact that his contract expires in 2023 has only served to add more fuel to speculations surrounding his future at Camp Nou.
Negotiations over a new deal have been going on for a while, but a resolution is yet to be reached. Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently lashed out at Gavi’s agent, Ivan de la Pena, for dragging out the discussions while also iterating that the club would not be improving on their latest offer.
However, Laporta’s comments have not gone down too well with the player’s camp. And Liverpool are now ready to take advantage of the situation and make a move for Gavi. The 17-year-old’s current contract with Barcelona has a release clause worth €50 million embedded in it.
And as per the report, Liverpool are prepared to trigger that clause and pay €50 million for the midfielder despite his young age. It is claimed that manager Jurgen Klopp is an admirer of the Spaniard’s talent and believes he can be a good fit in the side. With James Milner entering the final phase of his career and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain likely to leave, Liverpool could use another midfield signing.
Gavi, to that end, can be a fine addition who can flourish under the watchful eye of Klopp. However, as per the report, the youngster wishes to continue at Barcelona even though Liverpool would be in a position to offer him a bigger contract than the Catalan giants. But if the contract stalemate continues, more suitors could emerge for the 17-year-old, which would make things difficult for the Blaugrana.
