Liverpool are reportedly set to face stiff competition from AC Milan in the race to sign Barcelona’s teenage prodigy Gavi this summer.
According to the print edition of La Repubblica, as relayed by Tutto Mercato Web, Serie A champions AC Milan have joined Liverpool in the pursuit of Barcelona wonderkid Gavi, who will be entering the final year of his contract with the club.
Gavi is a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth setup and made his first-team breakthrough in the recently concluded campaign. Having been handed his debut by Ronald Koeman in the early parts of the 2021/22 season, the 17-year-old did not look back and developed into a pivotal member of the squad under Koeman and his successor, Xavi Hernandez.
At the same time, Gavi also established a foothold in the Spanish national team, where he has now become a regular for Luis Enrique’s side. The 17-year-old made 46 senior appearances for Barcelona in 2021/22, scoring two goals and setting up six more. Meanwhile, he has seven caps for Spain since making his debut in October 2021.
Gavi’s future has come into question due to his contract situation. The 17-year-old’s current deal with Barcelona stands to expire in the summer of 2023 and has a release clause worth just €50 million. The Catalan giants have been trying to extend his contract and secure his long-term future at the club but negotiations have not progressed as per plans despite the youngster’s intentions to continue at Camp Nou.
It has left Barcelona exposed to overtures from other clubs interested in signing Gavi, with Liverpool emerging as one such team keen on the 17-year-old. Indeed, the Reds are believed to be huge admirers of the Spanish international and see him as a perfect into Jurgen Klopp’s heavy metal system.
With the likes of Jordan Henderson and James Milner well into their thirties, introducing fresh blood into the midfield department would be key for Liverpool. To that end, they are prepared to trigger the €50 million release clause embedded in Gavi’s contract.
However, it seems like Liverpool are not alone in pursuit of Gavi as AC Milan, too, have emerged as suitors for the 17-year-old. The Rossoneri are in the market for midfield reinforcements as they are losing Franck Kessie this summer, with the Ivorian set to join Barcelona on a Bosman move. And Gavi could be seen as a replacement for the midfielder, with Milan keeping tabs on his situation.
Barcelona, though, have tabled a new contract offer for Gavi and are optimistic about extending his stay at Camp Nou. If they fail to do so, there will be no shortage of suitors for the 17-year-old midfield prodigy come summer.
