Chelsea in talks with Gavi over shock free transfer: report
Chelsea want Barcelona starlet Gavi – who's curiously available for free this summer
Chelsea have opened talks over signing Barcelona star Gavi this summer, in a move that would shock the transfer market once more.
The Blues are in disarray at current, finding themselves in the bottom half of the table on the final straight of the season. Club record scorer Frank Lampard has returned to the helm to manage the club until the end of the season, following Graham Potter's sacking.
Chelsea have a surplus of first-team stars – but that hasn't stopped them from opening dialogue over a move for Gavi.
According to Spanish outlet AS, the Blues have held talks with Gavi's agent, interested in bringing him to Stamford Bridge this summer.
The La Masia graduate signed an extension to his deal this season – but still, Barcelona risk his leaving for free after La Liga stepped in to void the new deal. With the Spanish football authorities declaring that Gavi's new contract could not be agreed if the Catalan giants registered the 18-year-old as a first-team player on January 31, thanks to a temporary injunction, taken out behind La Liga's back.
However, ESPN have since reported claimed that Barça missed the deadline to officially file their lawsuit – and that the Blaugrana have been close to the league's spending limit of around €600 million.
Gavi had the No.6 shirt handed to him after his extension rescinded, with him returning to the No.30 he wore as an academy player.
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Chelsea would likely use Gavi to beef up their midfield, having lost Jorginho in January and with Mason Mount no closer to agreeing a new deal.
Gavi is valued at €90m by Transfermarkt.
More Chelsea stories
Chelsea are struggling with statistics showing recently that they're the worst scorers in the top four divisions of England. Transfer rumours are linking them with moves for former stars Tammy Abraham and Romelu Lukaku. Marc Cucurella could be sold after just one season, while contract rebel Mason Mount and N'Golo Kante are targets for Liverpool.
Chelsea have also apparently offered a swap deal to bring Joao Felix to the Bridge permanently.
Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.