Liverpool ‘give up’ pursuit of young midfielder amid potential €1b release clause

Transfer News: Liverpool give up Gavi amidst new Barcelona contract, shift attention to Kalvin Phillips

According to Spanish outlet SPORT (h/t the Mirror), Liverpool have been forced to end their interest in Barcelona starlet Gavi amidst talks of a new contract.

The young starlet currently has a €50million release clause which the Reds were apparently willing to pay. However, that valuation is expected to rise up to €1billion once he signs a new contract.

It is an approach Barca seem to be taking to keep teams away from their young talents, with Pedri, Ronald Araujo, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati having a similar buyout clause.

There is no doubt about the teenager’s talent. At 17, he has become one of Barcelona’s main players under Xavi Hernandez, making 47 appearances across all club competitions in the latest season.

A missed opportunity for LFC

It is clear that he is operating at a level way beyond his age. If he is pulling the strings in Barca’s midfield at just 17, it is scary to imagine what he can do when he approaches his prime years.

Perhaps this was the reason behind LFC’s interest in Gavi in the first place. But if he signs a new deal at Barca, with discussions set to take place next week, then it would effectively end the Reds’ pursuit.

No matter the talent on display, there is hardly a club in the world that would pay €1billion to sign a footballer- at least not right now. Additionally, it is claimed that as a result of this, Liverpool have shifted their attention towards Kalvin Phillips of Leeds United.

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The 26-year-old Englishman

is a solid player in the Whites’ midfield and could be a good fit at LFC. But it remains to be seen if the Reds end up signing him this summer with Leeds securing PL safety on the last day of the season.