MX23RW : Thursday, November 21 14:03:30| >> :120:4185:4185:

Joan Laporta: 'Barcelona closing in on Gavi agreement'

Joan Laporta: 'Barcelona closing in on Gavi agreement'
© Reuters
Barcelona president Joan Laporta provides an update on the club's attempts to sign Gavi to a new contract.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said that the club are "very satisfied" with how contract talks with Gavi's agent Ivan de la Pena are progressing, with a new deal thought to be imminent.

The 17-year-old was a key player for Barcelona during the 2021-22 campaign, making 46 appearances in all competitions, contributing two goals and six assists in the process.

In La Liga, he featured on 34 occasions, contributing two goals and six assists, while he played 11 times in the Champions League and Europa League during a breakthrough season.

Gavi's contract at Camp Nou is due to expire next June, though, and there has been a host of speculation surrounding his future in recent months.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City are all said to be admirers of the teenager, who is believed to be aware that he could earn more money in the Premier League.

Gavi pictured for Barcelona on December 18, 2021© Reuters

However, Laporta has suggested that Barcelona are now reaching the latter stages of their negotiations with Gavi's agent, and an announcement on a new deal could be imminent.

"Gavi is doing very well. We are very satisfied with how everything has developed with Ivan de la Pena and with the player," Mundo Deportivo quotes Laporta as saying.

The midfielder became Spain's youngest ever player when he debuted last October, and he is in a strong position to make the La Roja squad for the 2022 World Cup.

"We're optimistic because we want Gavi to stay at Barcelona. We are very excited about him staying, he's from our academy," Laporta told Marca when questioned on the situation last month.

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

Barcelona midfielder Gavi pictured in September 2021© Reuters

However, the negotiations have not been smooth, with Laporta admitting in May that the club were becoming frustrated with the lengthy discussions.

"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."

Laporta has also issued an update on the future of Ousmane Dembele, with the France international now officially a free agent following the expiration of his Barcelona deal.

ID:489247:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4793:

Click here for more stories about Ivan de la Pena

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Ousmane Dembele in action for Barcelona in February 2022
Read Next:
Joan Laporta issues update on Ousmane Dembele future
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!