Neil Jones has described the potential signing of Gavi as ‘a real game-changer’ for Liverpool if they can bring the Barcelona gem to Anfield.
The 18-year-old has been linked with a move to the Reds, with The Times reporting earlier this week that he could become available on a free transfer due to complications over his registration at Camp Nou.
Relevo reported that Barca’s attempts to register the player have been ‘overturned’ after missing the requisite deadline.
In light of that news, Jones was speaking to Redmen TV about Gavi’s links to Liverpool, citing him as ‘potentially a massive coup’.
The respected journalist said: “At the moment Barca are standing to lose Gavi on a free because his youth contract expires in the summer. They can’t give him another youth contract because he’s 18, and they can’t give him a first-team contract because they would need to free up funds.
“It’s potentially a very exciting story for Liverpool. I know Manchester City were also linked in the story. That terrifies me, to be honest, the thought of them getting him!
“You can get a potential – he’s not far off already – I think he’s going to be a world-class player, for very little. Wow! What an opportunity that’s going to be for someone.
“I would be absolutely delighted if Liverpool were able to cash in and take advantage of this situation. It would be a real game-changer for the club, but I think there are a lot of rumblings to come in this story. He’s a brilliant, brilliant player. He’s already one of the best players of his position and age in the world.
“Even if for some reason he doesn’t adapt to the Premier League or whatever, this is a player that’s going to have a lot of value for the rest of his career, pretty much, injuries permitting. It’s potentially a massive coup for whoever gets him. Hopefully, it’s Liverpool!”
When looking at the career Gavi has had already by the age of 18, it’s little wonder Jones is so excited about the possibility of him coming to Anfield for nothing.
He’s already played 100 times at senior level for Barcelona and Spain combined (Transfermarkt), racking up the fourth-most minutes of any outfield player at his club in LaLiga this season (WhoScored).
Unsurprisingly for someone schooled at La Masia, he’s highly adept at retaining possession – his 84.5% pass completion rate places him in the 95th percentile among attacking midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues (as per FBref).
Gavi’s former national team coach Luis Enrique previously gushed about the player (as per ESPN): “We’re talking about a case that’s not normal. He plays as if he was on the patio at home. He’s a pleasure to see a player with that quality and personality.
“He has personality, bravery, quality, football to play at this level and on top of it all he’s physically superb.”
The teenager comes with a market value of €102.3m (£90m) from Football Transfers, so it really would be one of the coups of the century if Liverpool were able to pounce upon the uncertainty at Barcelona and get him for free.
Like Jones says, acquiring a youthful player of such lofty pedigree and ability could be a potential game-changer in terms of revolutionising the Reds’ midfield for years to come.
Agreement done’ – Romano drops transfer claim as Liverpool given ideal midfield transfer news
Reported Liverpool target Mason Mount is ‘very likely’ to leave Chelsea in the summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The England midfielder has been strongly linked with the Reds in recent weeks amid ongoing uncertainty over his future at Stamford Bridge, where his current deal is set to expire in 2024.
Earlier this week, The Telegraph reported that Blues co-owner Todd Boehly has ended his involvement in contract talks with the 24-year-old, instead delegating the task to co-sporting director Paul Winstanley, which saw negotiations ‘effectively put back to square one’.
Romano has now shared a significant claim regarding Mount’s off-field affairs, with the player changing his representatives.
Giving credit to the Daily Mail’s Matt Hughes, the Italian tweeted (via @FabrizioRomano): “Mason Mount has now appointed Neil Fewings as new agent, agreement done weeks ago — understand it’s very likely that he will leave Chelsea in July #CFC
“Fewings will now help Mount in talks, as first called by @MattHughesDM“.
Fewings is involved with the ROOF agency and has long-serving ties with Wasserman, with whom the Chelsea player has reportedly teamed up, according to Jacque Talbot (via Twitter).
Mason Mount has now appointed Neil Fewings as new agent, agreement done weeks ago — understand it’s very likely that he will leave Chelsea in July 🚨🔵 #CFC
Fewings will now help Mount in talks, as first called by @MattHughesDM. pic.twitter.com/TsgoGPpX7W
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 18, 2023
This appears to be a significant development regarding Mount’s future, as well as Liverpool’s pursuit of the player.
A change of agency can often pre-empt a transfer, while Romano’s claim about the 24-year-old being ‘very likely’ to depart Chelsea in the summer offers fresh hope to the Reds of bringing him to Anfield.
From our perspective, this appears to be an ideal turn of events. The need for new blood in our midfield has been exacerbated this week by the season-ending injury to Stefan Bajcetic, who had already been thrust into a starting role more frequently than many might’ve expected for his age and inexperience.
Mount is a Champions League winner and already knows the Premier League very well – playing 128 times in the division – along with winning 36 England caps (Transfermarkt), already accruing plenty of high-level experience at just 24.
With it looking increasingly likely that he could cut ties with Chelsea, Liverpool must pounce as numerous factors appear to turn in their favour.