Barcelona have confirmed they have reached an agreement with Gavi over a new deal – which includes a release clause set at €1billion (£866m).
At just 18 years of age, the midfielder is already a regular for both his club side and Spain, racking up 10 caps since his 2021 debut. Gavi burst onto the scene at the Camp Nou last term, with Ronald Koeman promoting him from the youth side into the senior set-up.
Having established himself in the Blaugrana XI, he immediately drew comparisons with Barca greats Andres Iniesta and Xavi – the latter of which would become his manager after replacing Koeman.
Earlier this summer, Spain boss Luis Enrique singled out Gavi for special praise, following yet another impressive performance for the national side. “He’s like an erupting volcano,” he said in June. “It’s very difficult not to fall in love with Gavi. Any fan wants to see him play.”
Xavi warned Barca bosses that there was no time to waste when it came to giving the starlet a new contract, with interest from the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea from the Premier League. Speaking in April about both Gavi and Ronald Araujo in April, he said: “They are very important. The club cannot allow either of them to leave.
“They are transcendent footballers. I think their renewals are a matter of time. I want to think that the two of them will stay and reach an agreement with the club. I’m optimistic.”
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And Xavi’s wishes have been granted with Barcelona announcing a new deal that will see him tied to the LaLiga giants until at least 2026. His previous contract was set to expire in 2023, but any fears of a departure have now been allayed.
Although clubs will still be able to bid for the academy graduate, there will be no need to cash in with Barca including an eye-watering clause. “FC Barcelona and the player Pablo Páez Gavira, ‘Gavi’, have reached an agreement to extend his contract to 30 June 2026. The buy out clause is set at 1 billion euros,” a statement reads.
“Technically gifted and a valuable asset on the field defensively, Gavi is a player all coaches would love to have in their squad.”
Such is his importance to Xavi’s squad, the clause inserted into his contract, is greater than the one Lionel Messi had during his final season at the club. It is believed that the Argentine had a £624m option, although would ultimately leave Catalonia for Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.
Gavi now joins his team-mates Ansu Fati and Pedri with €1bn options, meaning in all likelihood they will be the backbone of Barcelona’s team for years to come. And the negotiations prove Barca bosses have learned their lesson after PSG exercised the £198m clause to sign the Brazilian back in 2017.
Fans are expected to flock to the Camp Nou on Thursday to formally celebrate the announcement, before Gavi and his colleagues take on Elche in the same venue on Saturday evening.
