Manchester City are ‘closely monitoring’ Barcelona’s contract negotiations with wonderkid Gavi, with the Catalan giants having trouble meeting his demands for a blockbuster extension. Pep Guardiola, joined by Liverpool and two other European heavyweights, is keeping tabs on developments.
The previous Barcelona boss is a big admirer of Gavi, who made 47 appearances in his breakthrough season at Camp Nou. And the 17-year-old has already earned nine international caps for Spain as a vital member of Luis Enrique’s plans ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Steve Bates reports Barcelona’s current financial turmoil – requiring a money influx of £450million to forestall serious trouble – has led to struggles in tieing Gavi all the way down to a latest deal. Man City Director of Football Tixiki Begiristain and CEO Ferran Soriano, each also formerly employed by Barcelona, are keeping a detailed eye on the method.
Unsurprisingly, the Premier League champions aren’t alone of their interest, with fierce rivals Liverpool, Bundesliga overlords Bayern Munich and Ligue I Kings Paris Saint-Germain also closely following the situation per the Sunday Mirror. Barcelona fans increasingly worry that the club’s latest La Masia success could walk away for nothing in 2023.
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Barcelona have offered to extend Gavi’s salary from £20,000 per week to £33,000, accumulating to £1.7m annually. Nevertheless, the midfield superstar wants £77,000 per week, along with his advisors demanding an annual rise of £19,000 over the proposed four-year contract.
Man City undoubtedly would haven’t any issues meeting his demands as Guardiola builds a team of future icons on the Etihad Stadium. PFA Young Player of the Yr Phil Foden is 22 and might be joined next season by Erling Haaland, even younger aged 21, after completing his £51m move from Borussia Dortmund.
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Guardiola hasn’t kept his admiration for Gavi private, recently hailing him at a star golf tournament in Mallorca. He raved: “He’s unbelievable, identical to Ansu Fati or Pedri. It shows that there may be a variety of future and superb work within the youth system there.”
Liverpool are also looking for a marquee midfield arrival after missing out on latest Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni, so it’s no surprise the Reds are linked. With £85m Benfica striker Darwin Nunez acting as Jurgen Klopp’s stellar addition this summer, the German coach would likely like to make Gavi his high-profile 2023 recruit.
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