Transfer blow for Chelsea as European giants look to slap £830m release clause on teenage prodigy

Transfer News: Barcelona confident of renewing Gavi contract amidst Chelsea interest

According to the Spanish news outlet Sport (h/t The Sun), Barcelona are confident in renewing the contract of Gavi amidst interest from Chelsea ahead of the summer transfer window. The youngster has been a revelation for the Blaugrana since making the jump up to the first team and has quickly become one of their regulars in a short period.

Barca have laid down the foundations to extend the Spaniard’s deal soon after March 20, when the highly anticipated El Clasico will take place. His current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2023, which has prompted the La Liga side to raise their efforts in agreeing to a renewal.

The Blues were hoping to take advantage of the Blaugrana side’s financial instability as well as the 17-year-old’s contract situation. However, they seem to be in line to receive a massive blow as the Catalans are looking to put a huge release clause of £830million in the new deal.

Transfer News: Barcelona confident of renewing Gavi contract amidst Chelsea interest. (Credit: FC Barcelona official)
Barcelona keen to put a massive release clause on Gavi. (Credit: FC Barcelona official)

Major blow?

The La Liga midfielder has quickly earned a name for himself at such a young age due to his sensational performances for club and country. Signing him would have been a massive coup on our part as our long term future could have been strengthened even further.

Even though we have a solid number of midfield options at this moment, things could rapidly change moving forward. Saul Niguez could be allowed to return to Atletico Madrid as his £30million buy out clause seems expensive even with his turn of form of late. Ross Barkley could also be considered to be in the same boat as Saul.

Mason Mount seems to be used more and more in the attack, which further frees up the spot for a midfielder. Moreover, with N’Golo Kante and Jorginho being in the twilight of their playing careers, we need quality additions to eventually replace them in the future.

Transfer News: Barcelona confident of renewing Gavi contract amidst Chelsea interest.  (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)
Gavi is close to renewing his current deal. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

More Chelsea News

Even if we consider Conor Gallagher and Billy Gilmour as future options, there are still spots that are vacant in the team. Gavi would have been a great choice in that regard, considering how he has done well for Barcelona at the top level. However, it seems that our pursuit could be coming to an end going by this update.

Then again, let’s wait and see if this is true after all since there are not many days left to reach the specified date. If an extension is not signed by then, we could push to secure his signature ahead of the summer transfer window. Whether that will happen, though, remains to be seen.