Xavi 'desperate for Gavi to sign new Barcelona deal'

Barcelona manager Xavi is reportedly desperate to tie teenage midfielder Gavi down to a new contract at Camp Nou.

The Spain international has become a mainstay of the Blaugrana XI at the tender age of 17 but is due to become a free agent in under 18 months' time.

Gavi's emergence has supposedly attracted the attention of Liverpool, with the Reds preparing to trigger his €50m (£43m) release clause if Barca cannot agree a new deal with the midfielder.

According to Sport, Xavi is pushing for Barcelona to agree a new contract with Gavi with a significantly higher release clause and wage, as the teenager is reported to earn just £1.6k per week under his current terms.

The report adds that Gavi is considered "fundamental" to Xavi's project in Catalonia, and the youngster is now primed to agree fresh terms with a €1bn (£843m) release clause - the same as fellow starlet Pedri.

Gavi has banked two goals and three assists in 26 appearances for Barcelona this term, including the second in the 4-2 win over Atletico Madrid at the weekend.