Liverpool and Manchester City explore Gavi transfer amid Barcelona contract woes - Paper Round
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Updated 15/03/2023 at 08:58 GMT
Premier League duo Liverpool and Manchester City are ready to pounce as Barcelona encounter contract extension issues with promising young star Gavi. Elsewhere, Barca president Joan Laporta holds a transfer meeting with super-agent Jorge Mendes, Arsenal will activate an extension clause in Granit Xhaka's contract and three ex-England internationals are linked with the Under-21 manager's job.
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Barca could lose Gavi for free
Liverpool and Manchester City have been put on red alert after it was revealed that Barcelona encountered a problem with Gavi's contract. The 18-year-old signed a new deal at the start of the season, but it is reportedly invalid after it was registered incorrectly with La Liga. A Catalan court has now ruled against the club, meaning Gavi could end up leaving the Camp Nou for free this summer.
The Mirror report: "In September, he committed his future to Barcelona by agreeing a lucrative new deal – including a whopping €1billion (£866m) release clause.
"The Catalan club did not lodge the player’s new contract within the specified time period and missed the ‘grace period’ of one day. The club can appeal this decision, but for now the situation is at a deadlock.
"The legal ruling – which Barca contest and insist is not a final decision – means that the huge release clause in Gavi's new contract is not currently valid - and that could enable one of the 18-year-old's numerous admirers to pinch him for nothing in the summer.
"Liverpool – alongside Manchester City – are great admirers of the player and have been given encouragement by the latest development of his contractual situation, which may allow them to pounce."
Laporta's secret meeting
Barcelona president Joan Laporta and director of football Mateu Alemany have already started planning the Catalan club's summer transfer business and reportedly met with super agent Jorge Mendes in Porto on Tuesday. The Barca duo discussed a number of Mendes' clients, including their top target Bernardo Silva, who they hope to tempt from Manchester City.
Spanish media outlet Sport reveal: "In the meeting, Barca and Mendes discussed several names that could be of interest to the Catalan club, such as Joao Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, Marco Asensio and Ruben Neves.
"One of the priorities would be Bernardo Silva, who is very much liked by the coach and was of interest in the past window.
"Both Barca's president and director of football discussed the renewal of [Alejandro] Balde, the future of Ansu Fati, who has already been offered to several Premier League teams, and the cases of the on-loan [Francisco] Trincao and Nico [Gonzalez]."
Arsenal to extend Xhaka contract
Arsenal are confident of reaching an agreement to active a 12-month extension in Granit Xhaka's contract. The 30-year-old's current deal runs until 2024, but there is a clause in the contract that allows it to be extended by another year. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is hoping to reward Xhaka with the extension due to his impressive campaign so far as the Gunners chase the Premier League title.
The Sun confirm: "Arteta wants to reward that contribution by effectively tying the player to Arsenal for the rest of his career. Club officials are confident that there will be no problems convincing him to prolong his stay.
"That decision will not be affected by the club‘s ambitious plans to launch an £80million bid for West Ham skipper Declan Rice in the summer.
Three Lions linked with U-21 job
England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley has thrown his long-term future into doubt as the Mail reveal he will consider his position after the European Championships this summer. The FA are making preparations for the possibility of Carsley resigning and have earmarked ex-England internationals Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Scott Parker as potential replacements.
The Mail report: "In the event of Carsley's departure, it is understood Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Scott Parker will be among the coaches the FA sound out over the role.
"It has long been the governing body's ambition to draft more former international players under their umbrella.
"All three are out of work and are likely to consider a position with the U21s if Carsley leaves."
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