Manchester City linked Barcelona prodigy closing on contract extension

According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City target Pablo Gavira will sign a new contract at FC Barcelona. The Cityzens have been previously linked with the 17-year-old who has enjoyed a dream start to his first-team career at Barcelona.

Gavi, 17, has been a tremendous addition to the Catalan outfit amid some trying circumstances at the club which is still reeling from the financial damage and injuries.  The young Spaniard made his debut under former manager Ronald Koeman. He was remarkable right from the onset with his control on the ball, vision, and passing abilities.

The 17-year-old managed to score once and assist thrice this season in 17 appearances for the Blaugrana in La Liga this season. Given his potential, it wasn’t a surprise to see several elite clubs fighting for the teenager’s signature especially with his release clause of £42 million, with Guardiola’s side leading the pack.

Gavi was even offered multiples of his current salary by some European giants like Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Manchester City. However, the Spanish midfielder is said to be keen to remain at the Camp Nou to bring back the glory days under Xavi Hernandez.

"“ Gavi’s new contract with Barcelona is ready since long time. It’s just a matter of time, new meeting and it will be completed. Then signed [until 2026] and announced.Current release clause [€25M] will be removed. New, big clause in the deal. Gavi only wants to stay.”"

Source: Fabrizio Romano(via twitter).

Manchester City have been keen on reinforcing their midfield lately with Ferandinho’s unavailability for the future and the veteran duo of Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan being injury-prone with both in mid-thirties. That leaves Guardiola only with Rodri and Bernardo Silva in the midfield. Therefore, City’s interest in Gavi’s is more or less, justified.

Now, the teenage sensation is tipped to follow the footsteps of fellow mates Ansu Fati and Pedri Gonzalez by penning down a 5-year contract with the club and the release clause set at €1 billion. With that said, Pep Guardiola seems to have shifted his focus towards another bright spark in the midfield for FC Barcelona in Nico Gonzalez with Manchester City tipped to go all out for the 20-year-old.

However, that does seem to be speculation at this point with Barcelona’s recent promotion of Nico to the first team signifying his importance and him seen as a potential candidate to replace Sergio Busquets in the long run.