Atletico Madrid has set its sights on a Barcelona star, aiming to capitalize on his reduced role this season.
FC Barcelona has one of the best squads in world football, with potential Ballon d’Or candidates and top technicians.
With so much talent, it comes with heightened scrutiny from other clubs looking to pounce on any notion of unhappiness.
Barcelona continues to protect its core players to secure their futures, and some are tempted by offers of larger roles elsewhere.
One of the players, due to limited minutes this season, has attracted the attention of a La Liga rival, as reported by Fichajes.
That player is Gavi, the 20-year-old midfielder and former Golden Boy winner.
Now, Gavi is back after suffering a serious ACL injury, but has had a hard time reclaiming a regular role under manager Hansi Flick.
He has struggled, with limited game time this season in general, with no starts in the last four matches.
In fact, it has drawn attention from Barcelona’s rivals.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has always liked the intensity and believes Gavi would thrive under his style of play.
But Barcelona remains confident in Gavi’s potential and looks at this season as a blip, not a further indication of his worth.
If Atletico Madrid wants to get Gavi, they would need to make an unbelievable proposal to convince Barcelona, and also have a project that would somehow convince Gavi himself.
Gavi’s attachment to the Catalan side and his recent happiness in celebrating Barcelona’s La Liga title over Espanyol show that he is far from leaving.
The club is viewing him as central to their future, and he is beginning to slowly return to full minutes.
For the moment, Gavi’s tale will be one of resurgence, in a club that is desperate to keep suitors away from their star and get their star back to where he belongs.
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