Gavi release clause 'will double before the end of June'

The release clause in Gavi's current Barcelona contract will reportedly double to €100m (£85.8m) before the end of June.

The 17-year-old's existing deal at Camp Nou is due to expire next summer, and there is allegedly a €50m (£42.9m) buy-out fee in the contract, which has led to a host of speculation surrounding his future.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal are all said to be interested in the midfielder, who made the breakthrough into the Barcelona first team during the 2021-22 campaign.

The teenager featured on 47 occasions in all competitions for the Catalan giants last term, contributing two goals and six assists in the process.

Barcelona are currently in discussions with the midfielder over a fresh deal, with the club believed to have accelerated talks with his agent Ivan de la Pena in recent days.

However, according to Marca, there is no immediate panic from Xavi's side, as the youngster's release clause will rise to €100m (£85.8m) before the end of the month, as agreed in September 2020.

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Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently said that the club were "very close to reaching an agreement" with Gavi over a new long-term deal at Camp Nou.

"We're optimistic because we want Gavi to stay at Barcelona," Marca quotes Laporta as saying. "We are very excited about him staying, he's from our academy.

"The player and his agent, who we know, also want to stay at Barcelona. We are very close to reaching an agreement."

Gavi, who became Spain's youngest ever player last October, is thought to be in talks over a potential deal until June 2027, which would include a substantial release clause.

However, last month, Laporta said that Barcelona were becoming increasingly frustrated with the situation surrounding the teenager's renewal.

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"His agent has had the renewal offer on the table for a long time," Laporta told L'Esportiu. "We don't have any news they have accepted it. The news that we do have is that they are comparing and at some time will say something. We have said our position and for now, it's not been accepted.

"Yes (hurt by the actions of Gavi's agent), because we don't understand it. Gavi is a player that we all like, he has a present and a magnificent future at Barcelona.

"Within the salary levels, it's more than acceptable. (But) we will not go out of these levels, because I don't want Barca to continue in the line that those before us were on that has taken Barca to ruin.

"If we have players that come out of the academy, we make them an offer of a present and a very good future, and if the agent is comparing and delaying the decision, it's understandable that I don't like the situation."

Gavi is believed to be aware that he would earn a much larger salary by making the move to the Premier League and is holding out for a more lucrative deal to reflect his importance to the team.

The midfielder scored twice and provided six assists in 34 La Liga appearances during the 2021-22 campaign, as Xavi's side ended the season in second position behind Real Madrid.