Liverpool dealt major setback in the pursuit of Gavi due to change in release clause

According to Marca (h/t Daily Star), Liverpool might not be able to afford the new release clause of Gavi after recent changes in his Barcelona contract.

The Spaniard is the latest success story to emerge amidst Barcelona’s financial difficulties, which have prompted the club’s recent managers to push some potential young players into the first-team roster. Gavi made his first-team debut for Barcelona at the start of the 2021/22 season and rose through the ranks quickly.

The 17-year-old made 47 appearances for Barcelona last season, scoring two goals and assisting six times. Simultaneously, he has established himself in the Spanish national squad and has emerged in a key role under Luis Enrique. However, Gavi’s contract situation has put Barcelona in a bind, attracting the attention of other European powerhouses, including Liverpool and Manchester City.

Liverpool dealt major setback in the pursuit of Gavi due to change in release clause. — Gavi in action for Barcelona against Real Sociedad. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

However, now it is believed that the Premier League duo’s pursuit of the Barcelona midfielder has been struck a deadly blow. The Premier League duo had hoped to secure a huge coup after the 17-year-old sensation’s contract discussions stalled, but a clause in his current contract has ruled out an early exit.

Both teams wanted to activate his £42.9million release clause, but the situation seems to have changed. The initial clause in Gavi’s contract was only applicable for the first two years and his release clause is set to increase to £85.8m as he enters the third and final year of his contract, which will come into effect from this month.

Gavi’s style of play at 17 is ‘not normal,’ according to former Barcelona and current Spain coach Luis Enrique, and his potential is genuinely terrifying. He might turn into one of the best players in the game in the following years.

Signing a player of Gavi’s calibre would be a fantastic boost to the Reds’ midfield, which remains their weakest suit as compared to offence and defence. Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott are already two fantastic midfielders for Liverpool, albeit the latter’s future may be as a right-winger rather than a midfielder.

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Naby Keita and Thiago Alcantara are excellent players, yet they are both prone to injury. Jordan Henderson is a man in his late thirties who is showing no signs of slowing down. It will be a good addition to the squad to add another midfielder, especially one with the Spaniard’s pedigree.

However, it seems the Reds wouldn’t be able to taste Gavi’s brilliance as with the new release clause it would be immensely difficult not only for Liverpool, but any European heavyweight to sign him. After concluding the £85m signing of Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, it seems improbable that Jurgen Klopp’s team would spend the humongous fee on Gavi.