Barcelona have reportedly reached a breakthrough in contract negotiations with teenage midfielder Gavi.
The Spain international's future has been the subject of much speculation in recent months, as his deal with the Catalan giants is due to expire in June 2023.
The 17-year-old's existing contract is believed to include a release clause of €50m (£42.9m), which has led to claims that Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal could all attempt to bring him to the Premier League this summer.
Gavi has allegedly been holding out for a more lucrative deal in order to reflect his importance to the side, having made 47 appearances in all competitions during the 2021-22 campaign.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta said last month that the club were becoming increasingly frustrated by the slow negotiations between the two parties.
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"His agent has had the renewal offer on the table for a long time," Laporta told L'Esportiu. "We don't have any news they have accepted it. The news that we do have is that they are comparing and at some time will say something. We have said our position and for now, it's not been accepted.
"Yes (hurt by the actions of Gavi's agent), because we don't understand it. Gavi is a player that we all like, he has a present and a magnificent future at Barcelona.
"Within the salary levels, it's more than acceptable. (But) we will not go out of these levels, because I don't want Barca to continue in the line that those before us were on that has taken Barca to ruin.
"If we have players that come out of the academy, we make them an offer of a present and a very good future, and if the agent is comparing and delaying the decision, it's understandable that I don't like the situation."
However, Laporta provided a more positive update when questioned earlier this month, telling Marca: "We're optimistic because we want Gavi to stay at Barcelona. We are very excited about him staying, he's from our academy.
"The player and his agent, who we know, also want to stay at Barcelona. We are very close to reaching an agreement."
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According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona are now close to reaching a 'full agreement' with the Spain international over a new long-term deal.
Romano claims that a positive meeting has been held with the teenager's agent Ivan de la Pena, and the Catalan outfit have agreed to improve the salary on a five-year contract.
The midfielder scored twice and provided six assists in 34 La Liga appearances during the 2021-22 campaign, while he also featured on 11 occasions in the Champions League and Europa League.
Gavi, who does not turn 18 until August, became Spain's youngest ever player when he debuted for the national side last October, and he is widely expected to be in the La Roja squad for the 2022 World Cup.
The proposed new contract, meanwhile, is likely to include a release clause of £850m.
Matt Law
