Barcelona teenage midfielder Gavi has finally extended his contract with the Catalans.
The 18-year-old Spanish footballer whose contract had been due to expire next summer has signed an extension deal with Barca until the end of June 2026, which includes a buyout clause of €1 billion (£870 million).
The 18-year-old midfielder, Pablo Paez Gavira had been the subject of interest from Premier League clubs such as Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City, but has eventually decided to commit his future to Barcelona and their manager Xavi.
The 18-year-old Barcelona midfielder raced his way through Barcelona’s youth system after arriving from Real Betis in 2015.
Former Barcelona manager, Ronald Koeman noticed Gavi’s talents when he was playing for Barca B and hastily brought him into the first team where he became famous, making 39 appearances for the Catalans and becoming a midfield mainstay.
Gavi arrived with his family on Wednesday afternoon at Barca’s offices where he met with Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta and other directors and executives of the club before he proceeded to the renewal ceremony ground at Camp Nou.
Barcelona President, Joan Laporta mounted the stage and expressed how delighted he felt about Gavi’s contract extension, thanking Gavi, his agent Ivan de la Pena, and others who made the contract extension a reality.
Laporta said: “Today is a historic day. I want to thank Gavi for his renewal. When he was little there were people who said ‘he fights for every ball’.
“It’s a very happy day for Barcelona, for Gavi and all the Barcelona fans.
“Thanks to those who have worked at the club to make this renewal a reality. It is a very emotional and historic day for Barcelona because we are signing the present, immediate present, and future [of the club].
“We have achieved it. Long live Barcelona and long live Gavi.”
Meanwhile, the teenage midfielder didn’t say much as he expressed his happiness to be in his dream club, Barca and he appreciated everyone at the club who has been supporting his career since he arrived at Camp Nou.
Gavi said: “I am very happy about the renewal.
“It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a child, it’s always been clear to me that I wanted to be here.
“[La Masia] is something unique and I’m grateful to the cooks, tutors, everyone…
“They have taught me to work and to be humble. That’s why I take it well, naturally.”
Gavi referred to the day he scored his first goal for Barcelona and also provided an assist in the 3–2 home victory over Elche on December 18, 2021. It’s such an indelible day for him and he hopes to repeat the same as Barcelona faces Elche this Saturday, September 17, 2022.
He continued: “I have very good memories of that day and of being able to celebrate my first goal in the best club in the world.”
Meanwhile, the 18-year-old starlet was meeting supporters and posing for pictures at the Camp Nou store when a female Barcelona fan came out of the blues and approached him.
A video coverage from the event showing the lady leaning to pose with Gavi and handing a piece of paper to him presumably her phone number has gone viral on social media, racking up millions of views.
Gavi initially was confused before he got to understand the lady’s gesture and he was seen keeping the paper as he posed for a snap with her.
That girl gave Gavi a paper with her number on it👀👀 pic.twitter.com/9mzU7lfffK
— 𝔼𝕧𝕒 𝕊𝕚𝕝𝕧𝕒🦋 🇨🇻!^!🇵🇹 *𝕃𝕄𝟟*🐐 (@Cherry_EX0) September 15, 2022
One of the viewers who reacted to the scene commented: “That girl gave Barcelona’s midfielder Gavi a paper with her number on it.”
While another viewer applauded the lady’s courage, claiming she would do the same if she met PSG star Neymar.
She wrote: “That girl who gave her number to Gavi I mean what a smart girl, I would do the same thing if I met Neymar.”
The 18-year-old Gavi’s relationship status is unknown, however, rumors have been flying across social media that Gavi is likely to strike up a conversation with the lady.
Some reacted and posted a screenshot of a girl’s Instagram account on Twitter which is followed by Gavi and his Barcelona teammate Eric Garcia, claiming it was the lady who gave Gavi her contact. Why many suggested it could be the beginning of a startling love tale.
