Liverpool have now given up on the prospect of signing Gavi from Barcelona in this summer’s transfer window.
That’s according to Sport, who claim that The Reds have finally called it a day in their pursuit of the 17-year-old.
Liverpool reportedly had some hope of triggering Gavi’s £43m release clause. The delay in contract negotiations with Barcelona is said to have given the appearance that a deal could be done.
However, it’s claimed that the youngster’s new contract will now be finalised in ‘the coming days.’
Instead, Sport claim that Liverpool will now turn their attention to Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips to bolster their midfield.
Too good to be true
There had been suggestions that the delay in Gavi signing a new deal had been down to Liverpool’s intetest. But in truth, a move for Gavi this summer always looked a little too good to be true.
Had Liverpool been able to pull off signing one of the most prodigious talents in world football for just £43m it would have been a heck of a coup.
Gavi is already a star for both Barcelona and Spain. Just last night he became the youngest goalscorer in the Spanish national team’s history.
It always looked likely that he would extend his deal with Barca and that now looks ready to pass.
All in for Bellingham?
It’s strange that Phillips is mentioned as a possible alternative to Gavi. Obviously their positions on the pitch are similar, but the Leeds man is almost a full decade older than his Spanish counterpart.
If Liverpool are looking at a midfielder in the same age bracket as Gavi, then the standout option is clearly Jude Bellingham.
It’s unclear whether Liverpool actually had eyes on doing a deal for both teenagers. Perhaps a cut-price move for Gavi could have been supplemented with going all in for the £85m rated Bellingham next summer.
That would have set The Reds midfield up for the next ten years for under £135m.
That wasn’t to be though. Liverpool will now have to watch on as Gavi surely goes from strength to strength at the Camp Nou.