Barcelona’s young midfielder Gavi made headlines this week after it became known that he could leave for free this summer due to contract problems.
The 18-year-old is one of the most talented promising players in European football and, naturally, has attracted the attention of a number of leading clubs on the continent.
Gavi achieved fame at Barcelona last season and has already played 17 matches for Spain, including a series of impressive performances at the World Cup in Qatar.
The midfielder has been in the news in recent days and various clubs, including Liverpool, are said to be monitoring his situation.
Here we look at the reasons for the latest fuss about Gavi’s future and what all this could mean for Liverpool.
Why is Gavi in the news?
Barcelona’s ongoing financial problems have led to La Liga intervening to challenge the club’s expenses, and as a result, Gavi’s contract may be terminated.
ESPN reported that the court’s decision ordered the cancellation of Gavi’s registration as a senior player, a decision that Barcelona intends to appeal for the second time.
According to Mundo Deportivo, their initial appeal has already been rejected.
If the next appeal is rejected, Gavi’s new deal with the club will be canceled, and Barcelona can lose the player for free in the summer when his youth term expires.
Liverpool are said to have joined Manchester United and Manchester City on standby if the Spaniard becomes available in the summer.
Barcelona have 20 days to appeal and it is likely that all parties involved will receive more clarity after the appeal is considered.
Why is Liverpool linked?
Liverpool’s place at the table is probably due to circumstances: the Reds are clearly looking for a midfielder, and money is expected to be a stumbling block when it comes to big names.
Signing a free transfer for a player like Gavi would be an exceptional business for the club, especially given the potential of this man and the experience he already possesses.
The ongoing relationship with Jude Bellingham looks set to continue into the summer, with recent reports suggesting the fee will be the biggest obstacle to a potential deal.
If Gavi cannot find a solution at the Camp Nou, he will provide Liverpool with a significantly cheaper alternative and a player capable of competing with the influence that Bellingham could have.
Could he end up at Liverpool?
The reality is that there will be many competitors for his signature, and Barcelona will seek to resolve the dispute on their own.
He is an admirable player, but a situation that still creates a number of problems from Liverpool’s point of view.
Both Manchester clubs can offer astronomical salaries to players of this caliber, while Liverpool’s salary structure is only at risk in unique situations, such as Mohamed Salah’s new contract last summer.
There are a lot of moving parts in this story, and there is every chance that Barcelona will find a way to keep one of their rising stars until the end of the season.
As fans, we can certainly dream.
The situation is likely to change quickly, but there is nothing wrong with watching what is happening through red glasses.
