14 March 2023 , 20:24
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Liverpool are exploring the possibility of signing teenage Barcelona midfielder Gavi after the club were unable to register his new professional contract.
The 18-year-old has emerged as one of the brightest talents in world football and is a regular for both the Blaugrana and the Spanish national team. In September, he committed his future to Barcelona by agreeing a lucrative new deal – including a whopping €1billion (£866m) release clause.
However, La Liga refused to ratify the deal due to the club's ongoing financial issues and despite Barca moving ahead to register the player on professional terms in spite of the league’s position, a Catalan court has ruled against the club – meaning his registration has reverted back to that of a youth-team graduate.
The Catalan club did not lodge the player’s new contract within the specified time period and missed the ‘grace period’ of one day. The club can appeal this decision, but for now the situation is at a deadlock.
The legal ruling – which Barca contest and insist is not a final decision – means that the huge release clause in Gavi's new contract is not currently valid - and that could enable one of the 18-year-old's numerous admirers to pinch him for nothing in the summer.
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The teenager is viewed as a fiery and combative midfielder, who is often deployed in a more advanced position. Alongside the naturally gifted and technical Pedri – another teenage Spain international – he is viewed as a natural successor to Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta at Camp Nou.
Gavi signed a new contract, which includes a huge release clause, with Barcelona back in September (Getty Images)Have Your Say! Which midfielder(s) should Liverpool look to sign this summer? Tell us what you think here.
Unlike Pedri, who was signed from Las Palmas in 2020, Gavi has been at Barca since the age of 11 having been poached from the youth academy of Real Betis. As such, he has a close affiliation to the club and is unlikely to agitate for a move away.
However, a report in The Times outlines how Liverpool – alongside Manchester City – are great admirers of the player and have been given encouragement by the latest development of his contractual situation, which may allow them to pounce.
Losing Gavi would be a monumental blow for Barcelona, who have already been informed that they will be unable to sign new players in the summer unless they can raise £178million.
The Reds are intent on bolstering their midfielder this summer. They have been credited with an interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham on a number of occasions in the past, with Jurgen Klopp thought to be a big fan. Meanwhile, rivals Manchester City and Manchester United are also admirers, but it is Madrid who have emerged as the frontrunner for his signature.
Bellingham's starring role in the recent World Cup for England had also led to Liverpool stepping up their interest in signing the midfielder, whose transfer valuation continues to increase.
Klopp has admitted things need to change at the Reds and is eyeing a summer revamp of the squad, with a particular focus on their ageing midfield. The club missed out on signing Aurelien Tchouameni to Real Madrid last summer.
The Reds boss pr eviously said of Bellingham, in a cheeky way to praise the midfielder: “He’s not on the market, so that’s the first problem with that player. Well, the only problem with that player!”
Speaking in December, when Liverpool's need for reinforcements in midfield had become clear, Klopp purred over the teenage star: "Bellingham is just exceptional. He plays so maturely, like a 28-year-old.
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"Everybody already knew his skills, but I have no idea what that means for the money side of it. He’s very good, exceptional. He had an incredible World Cup."