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Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain 'remain interested in Barcelona's Gavi'

By Andrew Delaney, Reporter | 17 August 2023

Chelsea, PSG 'remain interested in Barcelona's Gavi'

Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly still interested in Gavi, and would jump at the opportunity to sign the Barcelona midfielder if it arose.

Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly maintained interest in Barcelona midfielder Gavi.

Free-spending Chelsea have been extremely proactive in the transfer market this summer, while PSG are now managed by former Barca boss Luis Enrique.

Enrique linked up with Gavi while he was in charge of the Spain national team, giving the youngster his senior debut and calling him up to their 2022 World Cup squad.

Spanish publication Sport claims that the two clubs have been showing interest throughout the summer, but without much chance of striking a deal.

Neither Gavi or Barcelona were willing to negotiate, but Gavi's potential lack of first-team minutes could make a move more likely.

It looks most probable that Gavi will be the player that makes way for Ilkay Gundogan in the side this season, after the Germany international joined from Manchester City.

With Frenkie de Jong and Pedri certain to be starters under Xavi, Barca's three-man midfield looks set to take shape without Gavi.

Barcelona manager Xavi pictured in September 2022 © Reuters

The arrival of Oriol Romeu may also see Gavi's involvement lessen, as the former Chelsea and Southampton man may be used in a holding role for big games.

Gavi made a 12-minute cameo off the bench in the side's league opener against Getafe at the weekend, replacing Gundogan, who started with new signing Romeu.

The 19-year-old appears to be happy at Barca though, considering that he recently renewed his deal with the club, after a second-straight season where he featured regularly.

The report states that Gavi's only ambition is to succeed at Barca, and that he is expected to get more minutes in home encounters, even if Xavi has a full squad at his disposal.

After recent news broke of Ansu Fati's wish to leave Camp Nou, Xavi may be forced into giving Gavi regular minutes to avoid a similar type of scenario.

Fati has gone on record to state that he wants to leave Barcelona in search of regular first-team football, after slipping down the pecking order in attack.