Teenage sensation Gavi has revealed that he had no doubts in his mind about signing a new-long term contract at Barcelona.
The 18-year-old put pen to paper on a four-year deal on Thursday, which includes a £1bn release clause, to end ongoing speculation about his future.
90min had learned that Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint Germain and Juventus were all interested in prizing Gavi away from Camp Nou, and there were doubts over whether he’d stay put given the lack of stability at the club in recent times.
However, Barca had remained confident that Gavi would commit, and he’s now revealed that leaving the club had not crossed his mind.
“I am very happy for the renewal,” Gavi said during the presentation of his new contract. “It is a dream that I had since I was young. With my family and agent, we were always clear that we wanted to be here.”
Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey and Toby Cudworth bring you a brand new episode of Talking Transfers. The team discuss the fallout from the summer transfer window, Chelsea’s midfield issues, Antony’s suitability at Man Utd and more. Available on all audio platforms and the 90min YouTube channel.
If you can’t see the podcast embed, click here to download the episode in full!
Gavi is one of many top-level talents to have graduated from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, having joined the club aged just 11.
He continued by crediting the academy for their work in improving him as a player, and said they had prepared him for the spotlight he has been quickly been thrust into.
“Taking things as normally as possible,” he said when asked how he deals with the pressure. “La Masia has helped me a lot in that respect. Also the team and the staff. I carry it as best I can.
“It is something unique what you experience there. I am very grateful to the chefs, the tutors… since I was young they have taught me to work and to be humble.”