Barcelona seems to be heading the right direction in retaining key players at the club, despite Barca’s current struggles.
Gavi’s contract at with the club is due to expire next June, but club president Joan Laporta has confirmed that both parties have now reached an agreement for the buzzing young talent.
Gavi’s future had been in doubt all the while, and the negotiation process seemed to have stalled.
The midfielder became Spain’s youngest ever player when he made his international debut last October, and he is in line to make the Spain 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.”
Laporta has now confirmed that a deal has been established.
“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.
This is a welcome development, as Laporta had revealed his frustration at the negotiation process back in May.
“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.”
