Barcelona coach Xavi to ‘unblock’ contract talks with Liverpool target
Barcelona head coach Xavi will step in and try and advance contract talks between the LaLiga club and talented midfielder Gavi.
Gavi will have just 12 months remaining on his contract this summer and he is yet to pen an extension at the Camp Nou. Contract talks have been ongoing with 17-year-old Gavi and defender Ronald Araujo, but agreement has been made.
Both Sport and Marca suggest Gavi has rejected a third contract offer from the club. But president Joan Laporta played down the situation over the weekend.
“Well, this is on the right track,” Laporta told Mundo Deportivo. “Yes, they are players that we want to continue, within these salary levels that we are establishing. We would like them to continue for many years.
“Everything is going perfectly normally with Araujo and Gavi.”
Still, the uncertainty has prompted interest from the Premier League and Liverpool reportedly hold an interest in the Spain international.
El Nacional reported the Reds’ interest before Christmas. While Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, via The Boot Room, claimed recently that Liverpool had made an offer to Gavi.
Gavi has £42m release clause
Liverpool have reportedly offered the player, who has a £42m release clause, a deal worth nearly £100,000-a-week. A huge increase on his £3,000-a-week.
But now Sport say Xavi has intervened to “unblock” the deal just as he did with Ousmane Dembele.
Xavi stepped in to push the claims of Dembele signing a new deal at the club and he is doing the same with Gavi.
Klopp wants Gavi for massive weekly wage
Klopp ready to give Barcelona youngster Gavi massive wage to move to Liverpool
Barca want the La Masia graduate to stay and Xavi believes it is integral to keep hold of the talented youngster.
Xavi is believed to have a good relationship with Gavi’s agent Ivan de la Pena and will try and convince him his future is in Catalonia. De La Pena is focused on getting the contract that Gavi’s ability deserves.
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