Spanish teenage prodigy Gavi has reportedly knocked back the latest contract renewal offer from Barcelona, with the terms not satisfying him.
According to a report by Spanish publication MARCA, Gavi considers Barcelona’s latest contract renewal offer insufficient to commit his long-term future to them. The Spanish international has thus rejected the deal, although his priority remains staying put at Camp Nou.
Gavi is one of the brightest young prospects to emanate out of Barcelona’s famed academy La Masia in the last few years. The 17-year-old joined the Blaugrana from Real Betis in July 2015 before making swift progress in the youth setup at the Catalan club.
The teenage prodigy was fast-tracked into the Barcelona first-team squad at the onset of the ongoing campaign amid their financial struggles. And Gavi has taken his opportunities with both hands, quickly becoming a regular fixture for Barcelona, under both Ronald Koeman and Xavi Hernandez.
The current Barcelona manager has shuffled him across various positions, and the player has appeared comfortable playing in midfield and attack, proving to be quite an asset. Gavi’s progress has also helped him break into the Spanish national side, and he has already made four appearances for La Roja.
As for his ongoing campaign at Barcelona, Gavi has turned out 35 times across all competitions, chipping in with two goals and five assists in the process. But the Catalan giants are in a spot of bother over Gavi’s long-term future, as he has a little over a year left on his current contract.
Recent reports have claimed that Gavi is in advanced talks with Barcelona over a contract renewal. But the latest claims come as a blow to Barcelona, as the teenage prodigy has knocked back the most recent offer from them, suggesting that the terms are insufficient for him to commit his future to them.
The news will also come as a boost for Gavi’s suitors, including Liverpool, with the 17-year-old’s situation becoming even more precarious. But Gavi’s priority remains staying put at Barcelona, meaning the ball is in the court of the Blaugrana to offer a contract that will appease the Spanish international so that he commits his future to them.