Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez is hopeful that midfield prodigy Gavi will sign a new contract extension, with his current deal expiring in 2023.
Speaking to the press ahead of Barcelona’s La Liga encounter against Levante (h/t Barca Blaugranes), manager Xavi Hernandez admitted that he hopes to see young midfielder Gavi signs a new contract with the club.
Gavi is a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth setup. The 17-year-old broke into the first-team setup in the ongoing campaign under Ronald Koeman and has grown into a vital squad member at Camp Nou. The teenage prodigy has racked up 37 senior appearances for the Catalans, scoring two goals and registering five assists.
Gavi has also established a foothold in the Spanish national team despite his tender age, earning six caps for La Roja already. However, his future at Barcelona has become a topic of speculation due to the youngster’s contract situation.
Gavi’s current contract with Barcelona expires in the summer of 2023, meaning he will be entering the final year of his deal at the end of the season. Furthermore, the contract has a release clause worth €50 million, alerting clubs from England. Liverpool, in particular, have been pursuing the teenager ardently, having even tabled a contract proposal.
Barça manager Xavi on Gavi’s contract expiring in June 2023: “I'm optimistic with Gavi. He wants to stay”. ⭐️?? #FCB
“It also depends on the club, the player and his agent – but he deserves to stay and I hope so”, Xavi added. Work in progress, Barça are more than confident. pic.twitter.com/zcxn67ccGz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 9, 2022
But, Gavi is believed to be keen on staying at Barcelona despite turning down an offer from the Blaugrana. Manager Xavi has admitted that the youngster wants to continue at Camp Nou. He is optimistic that the negotiations over a new deal will yield a breakthrough soon enough.
“I’m optimistic. Gavi wants to stay. It depends on the club and the player and his agent, Ivan de la Pena. The intention is to stay so we’re trying to reach an agreement. He deserves to stay and we are hoping that he will,” Xavi said.
Apart from Gavi, Barcelona are also sweating over the contract situations of Ousmane Dembele and Ronald Araujo. The former’s current contract expires this summer, while the latter’s runs out in 2023.
Talks over an extension for Dembele will resume after it looked like he would be allowed to leave on a free transfer in the summer. As for Araujo, Barcelona have finalised an agreement with his agent. An official announcement regarding the same is expected to be made imminently.
