Gavi 'closing in on new long-term Barcelona deal'

The 17-year-old has made the breakthrough at Camp Nou this season, featuring on 46 occasions in all competitions, contributing two goals and six assists in the process.

In La Liga, the midfielder has scored twice and provided six assists in 33 appearances, while he has also featured on 11 occasions in the Champions League and Europa League this term.

There has recently been speculation surrounding the midfielder's future, though, as his current deal is due to expire next June.

A number of Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, have been linked with the teenager amid suggestions that he was open to a move to English football.

However, according to COPE, Barcelona have made a breakthrough in negotiations with the Spain international and are now confident of announcing a new contract in the near future.

The report claims that Gavi's agent Ivan de la Pena and Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany met on Monday to discuss the youngster, and there is now 'optimism on both sides'.

The Spaniard is expected to sign a contract until June 2027, while he will also substantially increase his salary, reflecting his importance at Camp Nou.

Gavi, who has benefited from Pedri's injury problems this season to feature on a regular basis, became his country's youngest ever player last October, and he is in a strong position to secure a spot in the La Roja squad for the 2022 World Cup.

Gavi scored 95 times for Real Betis' youth team, which brought him to the attention of a number of leading clubs in Spain, but Barcelona won the race for his signature, signing him at the age of 11.

The midfielder's first-team debut for the Catalan giants came in August 2021, and he is believed to be one of six 'untouchables' at the club.

Despite the speculation surrounding the midfielder's future, the club's head coach Xavi has consistently been optimistic that an agreement would be reached.

"I'm optimistic and I see that the player wants to stay. It depends on the club, on him and his representative, who is Ivan de la Pena. I'm not suffering. He deserves to stay and knows that we value him. I hope so," Xavi told reporters.

Gavi played the full 90 minutes of Barcelona's goalless draw with Getafe in the league on Sunday, while he has featured in every single league game for Xavi's side since the clash with Alaves on January 23, when he was out through suspension.