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| Xavi Hernandez head coach of Barcelona gives instructions to Gavi during the La Liga Santader match between Granada CF and FC Barcelona at Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes on January 8, 2022 in Granada, Spain. |
Barcelona manager Xavi is reportedly desperate to tie teenage midfielder Gavi down to a new contract at Camp Nou.
The Spain international has become a mainstay of the Blaugrana XI at the tender age of 17 but is due to become a free agent in under 18 months' time.
Gavi's emergence has supposedly attracted the attention of Liverpool, with the Reds preparing to trigger his €50m (£43m) release clause if Barca cannot agree a new deal with the midfielder.
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| Gavi Paez of FC Barcelona and Stefan Savic of Atletico de Madrid battle for the ball during the La Liga Santader match between FC Barcelona and Club Atletico de Madrid at Camp Nou on February 6, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. |
According to Sport, Xavi is pushing for Barcelona to agree a new contract with Gavi with a significantly higher release clause and wage, as the teenager is reported to earn just £1.6k per week under his current terms.
The report adds that Gavi is considered "fundamental" to Xavi's project in Catalonia, and the youngster is now primed to agree fresh terms with a €1bn (£843m) release clause - the same as fellow starlet Pedri.
Gavi has banked two goals and three assists in 26 appearances for Barcelona this term, including the second in the 4-2 win over Atletico Madrid at the weekend.
