PSG continue pursuit of Barcelona’s Gavi

Paris Saint-Germain are relentless in their pursuit of a midfielder this summer. The Ligue 1 club have identified targets such as Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimarães, however, there is one player whom PSG pursued last summer and continue to pursue – Gavi (19).

Whilst the Barcelona midfielder remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament tear, suffered earlier this season, PSG’s interest has not waned, according to L’Équipe. The idea to sign the Spaniard arose during a conversation between Luís Campos and Nasser Al-Khelaifi last summer. Les Parisiens failed to sign Gavi, who has a €1bn release clause, last season, but they could return at the end of the season. 

Gavi’s release clause is problematic. Even Kylian Mbappé’s expected departure to Real Madrid will not free up the funds to trigger it, and so PSG must convince Barcelona to sell. “Gavi linked to PSG? Gavi should stay. He’ll be one of the captains of the club in the future. Gavi IS Barça,” said Xavi back in Febraury. 

In fact, Xavi’s future could be linked to Gavi’s. Should the former stay, the latter is likely to too. Should Hansi Flick arrive, PSG may be handed a dose of optimism in their pursuit of Gavi. However, in any case, the player would need to be convinced of the move to the Parc des Princes. 

However, PSG are proving dogged in their pursuit. After holding preliminary talks last summer, contact between PSG and Gavi’s entourage has not been broken. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle