Chelsea not chasing Gavi?

Journalist Ben Jacobs has told CaughtOffSide that Chelsea are not interested in signing Gavi from Barcelona in the summer transfer window. 

The reporter has said that the midfielder wants to stay at Camp Nou, and that former La Liga and UEFA Champions League winners Barcelona are not worried about losing the Spanish star on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Jacobs said: “Chelsea are not chasing Gavi. Admittedly, almost everyone in world football appreciates him, but Chelsea’s meeting with Ivan de la Pena, Gavi’s agent, was about Luis Enrique. De la Pena represents Enrique, too, who is a candidate for the Chelsea vacancy and wants to manage in the Premier League.

“The Gavi links remind me of the Neymar ones with Chelsea. It is true that Todd Boehly met Nasser Al-Khelaifi before PSG’s home Champions League tie with Bayern, but it was informal, largely to smooth over the fallout from the failed Hakim Ziyech loan on Deadline Day in January. A Neymar transfer was not discussed.

“Gavi is currently not registered as a first-team player for Barcelona because LaLiga ruled the club exceeded their salary cap by offering him a new contract last September. That means he reverts back to his old deal, which expires at the end of this season. So in theory Gavi could be available on a free. But Barcelona aren’t too concerned. They know Gavi wants to stay, and Chelsea also have plenty of other midfield options they are working on.”