Barcelona head coach Xavi has explained the importance of the Catalan outfit keeping Gavi at the club amid suggestions that Paris Saint-Germain are lining up a move for the Spaniard.
PSG are set to lose Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer at the end of the season, with the club already putting plans in place to replace the forward and also boost their squad in other areas.
Luis Enrique's side are allegedly lining up a summer move for Gavi, who has been on the sidelines since November due to the ACL injury that he suffered while representing Spain.
The 19-year-old came through the youth system at Camp Nou, working his way to the first team in 2021, and he has represented the club on 111 occasions, scoring seven goals and registering 14 assists.
Xavi is leaving as head coach this summer, so the club's legendary former midfielder will not be involved in the plans for the upcoming transfer market, but he sent a clear message when asked about a possible exit for Gavi.
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"Gavi must stay. Gavi has to be the Barca of the future," Xavi told reporters.
The midfielder made 15 occasions for Barcelona earlier this season, scoring twice and registering one assist, before picking up the knee injury which ended his campaign.
Xavi provided a positive update on the youngster's recovery earlier this month, though, revealing that the rehabilitation process was going "better than expected".
"It's going very well, better than expected, but Gavi is good, he would like to be there now, but he can't. He's making a textbook, textbook, perfect recovery," the manager said.
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"He's happy, he's taking it on, I see him very involved with the group. Despite not being on the field, he is a very important person for the group."
Xavi was also asked about Kylian Mbappe's decision to leave PSG on a free transfer, with the France international widely expected to move to Real Madrid this summer.
"I don't have much to say. What has become official is that Mbappe is leaving PSG, but our situation is different. We have to finish the season well, we have the Champions League tie. I can't answer you," he said.
"Don't ask me any more questions about Mbappe please. I don't think I should speak about him."
Barcelona will be bidding to return to winning ways in La Liga when they head to Celta Vigo on Saturday before travelling to Napoli next week for the first leg of their last-16 Champions League contest.
