Barcelona finalising new contract for teenage starlet Gavi

Barcelona are putting the finishing touches on a new contract for young midfielder Gavi, 90min understands.

The talented 18-year-old, whose current deal expires next summer, struck an agreement over a contract extension earlier this year but saw plans postponed as Barcelona were financially unable to finalise it without activating their now-famous levers – including selling shares of the club’s TV and merchandise rights.

Clubs from around Europe had been reaching out to Gavi’s camp to express an interest as talks with Barcelona dragged on, but as 90min reported previously, the La Liga side have long been confident that they would finalise the midfielder’s new deal eventually.

That date is inching closer as sources have confirmed to 90min that Gavi and his agent, Ivan de la Pena, reached a final agreement over an extension on Tuesday morning and official confirmation of the deal will be coming soon.

Barcelona have succeeded in inserting a €1bn release clause in the deal – the same as that of fellow young star Pedri – to prevent Gavi from being lured away.

In England, Gavi’s camp had been contacted by Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United, while European heavyweights Bayern Munich, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain all asked to be kept informed of the situation, but De la Pena has made it clear that Gavi will not be leaving Camp Nou.

Despite his tender age, Gavi has already managed more than 50 appearances for Barcelona and is a full Spain international, indicating just how highly regarded he is in his home country.