Liverpool and Manchester United are reportedly are keen on signing Gavi, who has a €50 million release clause in his Barcelona contract.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Gavi is the subject of interest from Liverpool and Manchester United over a move in a future transfer window. The 17-year-old prodigy has a release clause worth just €50 million in his deal with Barcelona, which is making him an appealing target.
Gavi joined Barcelona from boyhood club Real Betis in 2015 after being courted by the likes of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal, among others. Upon joining the Blaugrana, the teenage prodigy made swift progress within their famed academy La Masia, before earning his big break with the first-team setup at the onset of this season.
In fact, the 17-year-old has quickly established himself as a regular for Barcelona, having notched up seven appearances in Ronald Koeman’s side. At the same time, he has also made his Spain bow this month, starting the UEFA Nations League semi-final against Italy. Gavi’s progress has certainly not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of Liverpool and Manchester United.
Liverpool are coming off a summer transfer window wherein they chose not to sign a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, with Jurgen Klopp instead choosing to promote Harvey Elliott as a first-team regular. However, it is worth noting that despite Elliott’s early impression before he sustained an ankle injury, the need to sign a midfielder could soon crop up at Anfield.
That is because James Milner is in the twilight of his career while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is now merely an emergency option. With that in mind, Gavi is a viable target, although the Barcelona prodigy also features on Manchester United’s shortlist of targets.
The Red Devils are in a precarious situation over the long-term future of Paul Pogba, even though recent reports do suggest that he is likely to put pen to a new long-term contract. However, in the scenario that Pogba leaves Manchester United would need a replacement, which makes Gavi an option worth considering.
Apart from Liverpool and Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in the 17-year-old whizkid, whose €50 million further makes him an appealing prospect for suitors. Barcelona, though, are scrambling to keep hold of Gavi, who is himself keen on staying put at Camp Nou.
With that being the case, it looks like securing the long-term future of the teenage prodigy might not be a big ask for Barcelona, who are also looking to bump up his termination clause from €50 million to €500 million. So, for all intents and purposes, it looks like Liverpool, Manchester United and PSG will all have to set their sights elsewhere in search of a creative midfielder.