Barcelona wonderkid Gavi, 17, on verge of signing new contract in transfer blow to Liverpool and Man City | The Sun

BARCELONA are in the "final phase" of agreeing a long-term contract with Gavi.

Club president Joan Laporta confirmed that negotiations to keep the 17-year-old wonderkid at the Nou Camp are almost complete.

Manchester City and Liverpool are eagerly anticipating the result of discussions to extend the current deal, which ends in 2023.

But as SPORT report, Laporta has quashed any ideas about the academy graduate leaving Catalonia.

He said: "Gavi's new contract [negotiation] is about to finish.

"We are in the process of renewing Gavi and we face the final phase."

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According to reports earlier in the week, Gavi's release clause is set to rise to £85.8m this month.

The silky midfielder played 47 games for Barca last season, scoring two and grabbing six assists.

He has made ten appearances for the Spanish national team.

Chief Laporta went on to say that the LaLiga runners up have completed a contract agreement with defender Ronald Araujo as well as Gavi.

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He stated they are building a team for the "present and the future".

Laporta added: "We are closing contracts, with Araujo, for the present and for the future.

"We have Nico, Gavi – who we are working on his contract – and we have a player from Racing de Santander who is 19 years old.

"We are building a team."

Barca manager Xavi is also desperate to hold onto the incredible talent that is Gavi.

Earlier this year, he said: "He’s very good at recovering possession, taking the ball away from the opponents.

"He’s very competitive. He understands the high press very well; he’s excellent at that.

"He turns very well when we want to play in between the lines.

"But he needs to manage himself – he needs to find the right resources in the right moments – knowing when to attack the space better, when to let the wingers run or when to pass it.

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"These are tactical situations where he needs to improve. He’s an incredible talent and a joy to coach.

"At 17, to already have made such an impact and play with the national side is marvellous."

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