‘Very Upset’ Gavi Close To Joining Chelsea On Free Transfer After FC Barcelona Star’s Agent Meeting: Reports

Chelsea have already met Gavi’s agent with a view to snatching the youngster away from FC Barcelona on a free transfer this summer, AS has reported, and further contact is expected in the coming weeks that could see the “very upset” teenager agree to join the English club.

The 18-year-old has a been a mainstay in the Catalans’ midfield since the summer of 2021 when Ronald Koeman boosted him to the first team.

Under Xavi Hernandez, the Spain international was awarded a new contract with a €1 billion ($1.09 billion) release clause last year and awarded the former midfielder’s iconic number ‘6’ jersey in a move that communicated how widely thought of he is by the club.

In the past couple of weeks, however, a courtroom drama regarding the registration of said contract has seen Barca lose a legal battle with La Liga. Gavi has been stripped of the number ‘6’, given his old number ’30’ back, and is now free to leave the Blaugrana on a free in June – which is where Chelsea come in.

According to AS, the big-spending west Londoners have already gotten ‘Operation Gavi’ underway and met with his agent Ivan De La Pena in Madrid three weeks ago.

There in the Spanish capital, Chelsea’s sporting director Christopher Vivell reportedly explained how strong the desire to sign Gavi at Stamford Bridge is, the importance he would have in the Premier
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League giants’ sporting project, and the status he would boast as one of the main stars of a team which already has World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez in its midfield.

The first sitdown was described as “very satisfactory” for both parties, who have agreed to move forward. In the near
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future, it is expected that a fresh meeting will be held which could result in a possible signing and “firmer commitment” on both sides.

Worryingly for his current employers and their fans, Gavi is “very upset with Barcelona” for the way the club has handled the issue of his new contract and understands “that he has not been given the priority he deserves”, according to AS.

Furthermore, a generous signing bonus and the possible arrival of his former Spain boss Luis Enrique at Chelsea could also tempt Gavi, and Barca should move swiftly to persuade the feisty teenager that his future lies at Camp Nou.

With Barca being warned that they must shave €200 million ($218 million) from the wage bill by La Liga, however, registering Gavi’s new contract will still not be straightforward in the coming months.