Transfer News: Chelsea in a three-way race for teenage Barcelona sensation

Chelsea make an offer for Barcelona’s Spanish sensation Gavi

According to Sport (h/t Express), Chelsea are one of three Premier League clubs interested in making a move for Barcelona wonderkid Gavi. The youngster has been one of the Spanish giant’s standout players this season, but with uncertainty over his future at the Nou Camp, manager Xavi Hernandez faces the prospect of losing the player soon.

Only 17-years-old, Gavi has won over the Barca faithful as well as the coaching staff ever since being promoted into the first-team by ex-manager Ronald Koeman at the beginning of this season. Since his debut, the teenager has started all but one game, contributing to a goal and three assists in all competitions during that time.

It is reported that Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City are the three English sides looking to snap up the potential superstar from Barcelona. However, they could also face competition from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, who have shown interest in the starlet.

Despite a change in managerial personnel at the Nou Camp in recent months with Xavi replacing Koeman, Gavi has continued to impress and nail down his spot in Barcelona’s starting line-up. Now a key player for Xavi, the youngster has drawn comparisons to his manager and club legend Andres Iniesta for his passing range, vision, and close control.

What is interesting is that Gavi is still on a youth contract at Barcelona, despite being a regular for the first team at Barcelona. Though the club is determined to review his contract situation given his stellar performances this season, they could stand to lose the player, as the club are said to not have made any progress on this front. This has led to other clubs, including Chelsea, sizing up moves.

In what is good news for Barcelona, Gavi’s ‘absolute priority’ is said to remain in Catalonia, despite the vast amount of interest in him from outside Spain. However, given that his youth contract is thought to expire in 2023, Barca will need to be quick to nail him down for the future. His release clause is understood to be around £41m, which may be a steal for interested clubs as he is a potential asset in the coming years.

Although we’ve seen many young talents take the world stage at such an early age, it is hard to imagine a player that has established himself in the first team and remains a manager’s first pick in games. Enter Gavi, who only at 17, seems to have the world’s best clubs seeking his signature after just a few months playing at the highest level in Spain.

Comparisons to legends like Xavi and Iniesta may seem like hype from Barca fans, but to see Xavi himself depend on Gavi to spur his side on in midfield is a massive nod to the player’s ability. Only a teenager, Barcelona will have to do well to hold on to the starlet beyond the next summer.

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It is no surprise to see our club linked with Gavi, as we continue to search for top talents in world football that we can add to our squad. We have made some fantastic additions to our squad over the years, leading to success in recent times, and Gavi would make a fine purchase, not only to make an immediate impact but also as an asset in the coming years.

Despite the links to the Barcelona starlet, any dreams of signing Gavi may have to be kept on the backburner for now, at it is unlikely that the Spanish giants will fail to commit the teenager to the club for the future. Furthermore, reports indicate the Gavi’s priority is to remain at the Nou Camp, which makes it all the more difficult to prise him away from Catalonia.