According to sources, Liverpool has been forced to abandon their chase of Barcelona star Gavi.
The Reds were aiming to strengthen their midfield this summer in order to address the vacuum created by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is on his way out. This could be a recurring issue for Jurgen Klopp, who failed to replace Georginio Wijnaldum when he moved to Paris Saint-Germain last year.
After a few days of waiting, Gavi, 17, is due to begin talks with Barca next week about new terms. The midfielder and his agency have already agreed on a formal deal, according to Spanish publication Sport, but the rest should be finalized “in the coming days.”
The Reds were aware that the teenager’s top aim was to extend his contract at Camp Nou, but were willing to pay out his £42 million (€50 million) release clause to get him to Anfield. His release clause will increase to £860m (€1bn) if his contract is renewed, matching that of his senior squad mates Pedri, Ansu Fati, Ronald Araujo, and Ferran Torres, who have recently agreed to new agreements.
According to the article, Gavi’s representatives had been considering renewing his contract for some time. “For a long time, his counsel has had the renewal offer on the table. Barca president Joan Laporta recently stated, “We have no knowledge that he has accepted it.”
“Yes, because we don’t understand,” Laporta said when asked if the club was concerned about not accepting the offer yet. We all like him; he’s 17 years old, has a bright future at Barca, and we don’t understand why his agent is out there playing and comparing. Within our compensation levels, I believe the club’s offering is more than reasonable.”
Xavi also emphasized the importance of Gavi and Araujo’s youth possibilities amid transfer speculation. “They’re quite important.” Neither of them is allowed to leave the club.
“They are world-class footballers.” Their renewals, in my opinion, are only a question of time. I’d like to believe that the two of them will stay and work out a deal with the club. “I’m hopeful.”
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As a result, Liverpool are apparently eyeing Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips, who is under contract at Elland Road until 2024. Direct rivals Manchester City, on the other hand, are also interested in signing the 26-year-old. The Citizens are looking to replace Fernandinho, who is set to leave after his contract expires this summer.
