Gavi reportedly has no interest in joining Manchester City and is keen on staying put at Barcelona to continue his development.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Premier League champions Manchester City have been handed a major blow in their pursuit of Gavi. The Barcelona prodigy intends to remain at Camp Nou to continue his progress, even though the Citizens were ready to offer him substantially higher wages.
Gavi joined Barcelona from Real Betis in July 2015 and made significant progress in the club’s youth setup before being fast-tracked into the first-team squad this season. After choosing not to sign a replacement for Ilaix Moriba and Miralem Pjanic, the Catalan giants were left with no choice but to promote some of the budding talents within La Masia.
Since making his first-team bow, the 17-year-old prodigy has made a remarkable impression to become a mainstay in midfield. Gavi has made 23 appearances for Barcelona thus far this term, chipping in with one goal and three assists. The youngster’s progress has not gone unnoticed, with Manchester City one of his prospective suitors.
Gavi could potentially be a long-term successor for Kevin De Bruyne, considering Manchester City’s penchant of laying down succession plans for pivotal figures well in advance. Rodri arrived at the Etihad Stadium a few years ago because of such an outlook, even though Fernandinho was in solid form at the time.
With Fernandinho approaching the end of his storied career, Rodri is already well-accustomed to the club’s demands. Gavi could have been a solution to that end to succeed De Bruyne, with Manchester City reportedly keen on signing the Barcelona prodigy.
Triggering his €50 million release clause would not have been an issue for the cash-rich Manchester City. However, the Premier League champions have now been handed a major blow in pursuit of the 17-year-old, as he is not interested in joining them and intends to stay put at Barcelona.
The Spanish whizkid has also been heavily linked with Liverpool, but the Reds also seem to be fighting a lost cause. Gavi wishes to continue his development at Barcelona, with the Catalan giants scrambling to tie him down to a long-term contract. For now though, Barcelona’s hopes of keeping hold of the teenage prodigy have received a major boost.
