“I don’t want him as a player, i want him to join my coaching staffs, he has all the qualities to become elite in the future”- Barcelona manager Xavi have openly said that he wants brilliant Chelsea midfielder on his coaching team ahead of next season.
Xavi has been quizzed on the future of Gavi at Barcelona, with the midfielder facing an increasing uncertain future. The 18-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with an exit from the Camp Nou recently as enters the final months of his contract.
Gavi signed a long-term deal with his boyhood club in September, but that deal is now null and void due to the Spanish outfit’s ongoing financial problems. In the meantime, the teenage sensation has reverted to a far less lucrative youth contract which sees him become a free agent at the end of the season.
According to AS, the Blues are hoping to bring Gavi to west London as Todd Boehly continues to load the club with a wealth of exciting young talent. The report states that the Spain international’s agent, Ivan de la Pena, met with Chelsea representatives in Madrid a few weeks ago and discussions went ‘very well’.
With the Blues encouraged by the talks and Barcelona yet to clear their £178million debt, Gavi would certainly be a welcome addition at Stamford Bridge. However, while the Spaniard is available in the summer, Xavi has already tried to fend off Chelsea.
In a press conference ahead of Barcelona’s trip to Getafe on Sunday, the 43-year-old was asked about the Blues’ interest in Gavi. Xavi said: “I don’t think Gavi would be happy at a different club. He has everything here at 18 and is an important player for the team. I think his future is here at the club.”
Chelsea have been heavily linked with numerous midfielders recently, such as Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Alexis Mac Allister. Alongside the Blues’ mission to bolster the centre of the park, they’re also on the hunt for a new head coach to takeover in the summer.
Luis Enrique is one of several managers who have been name checked in relation to the vacancy in west London. The former Barcelona boss handed Gavi his debut for Spain in October 2021, making him the country’s youngster ever international.
In November, Enrique heaped lots of praise on the Chelsea target, claiming that he can ‘define an era’. As quoted by ESPN, he said: “The most surprising thing for everyone is that someone, at 18 years and 100 days old, has that amount of self-confidence.
“You have to look at the intelligence he has in his positioning, how he dominates the technical aspects of football, and his physical capacity despite being 18. We have to stay calm, he’s 18, but he can define an era.”
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