Chelsea revive interest in player with £865m release clause, Guardiola thinks he’s fantastic

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Chelsea have now revived their interest in Gavi after Xavi dropped the Spaniard from his starting XI at Barcelona.

That is according to SPORT in Spain.

So, what is the latest on Gavi and Chelsea? Let’s take a look…

What’s the story?

Well, the Spanish news outlet believe Chelsea made contact with Barcelona about a deal for the Spain international earlier this summer.

Unfortunately, the Blues were told to go away by Gavi and Barcelona – as were PSG.

Now – however – Chelsea are on red alert after the Barcelona No.6 started the opening game of the 2023/24 La Liga campaign on the bench, as Xavi’s side drew 0-0 against Getafe on Sunday.

The arrivals of Ilkay Gundogan and Oriol Romeu have shoved Gavi out of the starting XI, leading Chelsea to once again sit up and take notice of his situation.

However, SPORT believe the 19-year-old remains fully committed to Barcelona, and plans to fight for his place under Xaxi.

According to the BBC, Gavi has a release clause worth £1bn (£865m) written into his contract at the Camp Nou.

Now is not the time for Chelsea to sign Gavi

We understand that the opportunity to sign a talent like Gavi does not come around often – hence why Chelsea are on red alert to this situation.

However, even if Chelsea did find a way to sign the teenager – who Pep Guardiola once called “fantastic” – it remains to be seen where he would fit in under Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentine has just signed Moises Caicedo and is close to capturing Romeo Lavia as well, both of whom play in midfield like Gavi.

Caicedo and Lavia would ideally like to start alongside Enzo Fernandez, so Gavi would not be assured a starting role by any means at Chelsea.

Therefore, the timing is all wrong for the Blues – even if Gavi did express a desire to leave Barcelona following the arrivals of Romeu and Gundogan.