Liverpool are expected to be heavily involved in the race to sign Jude Bellingham this summer, but if the opportunity to sign a talented Barcelona teenager arises, they must take it.

It will likely be a summer of change at Anfield, with a number of established names initially and several reinforcements likely to arrive. With a European giant currently embroiled in a legal battle, this could present an opportunity to land generational talent.

Liverpool are set to bid farewell to at least four first-team midfielders by the end of the season, with James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keïta and Arthur Melo all currently heading for the exit door. Of course, the primary target for Jurgen Klopp’s side appears to be Jude Bellingham, although reports from last week suggested the Reds could potentially miss out on the 19-year-old’s services, particularly with recruitment chiefs at Anfield reluctant to get involved in a bidding war. like Manchester City and Real Madrid, as the Borussia Dortmund starlet’s starting price is expected to be around $150m (£120m/€140m).

Alternatives could be in order and the Reds might have been extremely lucky in that regard, as the future of a Barcelona wonderkid is no longer certain due to the club’s long legal battles with La Liga. Bellingham may be the hottest young property in Europe right now, but there’s no doubt that Gavi, who beat the former Birmingham City teenager to the European Golden Boy Award last year, would bring him very close. quickly if there was no decision for a decision could take effect in July.

After a long-running dispute over the registration of the youngster’s contract signed last September, La Liga have decreed Gavi’s status demoted to Barcelona academy player. Indeed, it will mean the reinstatement of a release clause which would theoretically allow him to leave Camp Nou for free this summer.

Earlier this year, La Liga ruled that Gavi’s new contract would not be valid if Barcelona breached wage limits and the Spanish starlet was forced to be registered as a first-team player by an injunction on January 31. . If the 17-cap international isn’t registered in the first team by July 1, his contract will be void unless Barcelona can successfully appeal.

The Spanish giants have informed Athletic that they will challenge the decision and should take further legal action over it, but the upheaval surrounding Gavi’s status has of course led to a number of clubs, including Liverpool, reportedly expressed their interest in the prodigy in the matter. . According to Four Four Two, the Reds face a challenge to sign the 18-year-old from Premier League rivals Manchester City and Manchester United, who both remain ‘on hold’ as the youngster’s future in Catalonia looms large.

The saga will bring back memories of two summers ago when legendary striker Lionel Messi shocked the world by leaving Camp Nou on a free transfer. The Argentinian icon left the club for nothing after his contract expired as the La Liga giants were unable to tie the player down to a new deal due to financial issues and now it looks like the Blaugrana could make their farewell to another extremely talented academy product in similar circumstances. .

Interestingly, both players could become available for free this summer and although recent world champion Messi is out of reach for many elite clubs, it doesn’t seem out of the question that Gavi will be within reach of Premier League clubs like Liverpool. . . Looking at Gavi’s stats over the past year, it’s clear why the youngster is so highly regarded on the continent, with his ball security and knack for deflecting attacks despite being a tender 18.

Compared to midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues, the Spain international is in the 98th percentile for contacts in the opposition’s penalty area and in the 97th percentile for progressive passes every 90 minutes on average over the past year, according to the site football statistics website FBref. Additionally, the starlet is also in the 81st percentile for air combat success and the 80th percentile for blocks, demonstrating her clear all-around capabilities.

It is almost unfathomable that the teenager has already made an impressive 84 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona and, whatever happens this summer, his contribution this season is likely to earn him a league winners medal as he is almost always present as Xavi Hernández’s team. first in the table with 12 points after 26 games. The prospect of signing a successful midfielder this summer would be appealing to most Liverpool fans, but getting such inalienable talent for free would be nothing short of a coup.

Jude Bellingham could very well dominate the headlines this summer, but there is no doubt in Gavi that an elite club could get their biggest signing in years in the next transfer window. Should the England international decide to turn Liverpool down, it would be no bad consolation to sign one of the brightest talents to come off the La Masia production line since Messi.

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Liverpool French international brahima Konate drops Liverpool transfer hint with frank admission on teammates

France international Ibrahima Konaté saw the highlights of the battle for four major trophies in his first season at Liverpool, but endured an overall tougher and tougher season in his second year.

Ibrahima Konate admits Liverpool need to refresh their squad with new signings this summer if they are to be a challenger for the Premier League title again.

The Reds have lifted two trophies in 2021/22, winning the League Cup and FA Cup while suffering an atrocious fall in the Premier League, winning the title from Manchester City on the final day. They also reached a third Champions League final in five years, losing 1-0 to Real Madrid in Paris.

But this season has proven much more difficult for Jurgen Klopp’s men as their European exit via Madrid last week ended their money hopes after already losing in both domestic cups. Moreover, a Premier League campaign riddled with inconsistencies – typical of the 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth a week after beating Manchester United 7-0 – and injury problems saw them find themselves in contention for fourth place. are withdrawn, with the Reds currently seven points behind Spurs.

French international Konate has had his share of injury woes. The Paris-born centre-back has made just eight Premier League appearances and just 14 appearances in all competitions to date.

Problems with players lacking fitness and fitness were a problem for the whole team, after a season of over 60 games. The 23-year-old told Eurosport: “This season is more complicated for all of us, for the whole club.

“No one is in a better position than the coach to talk about the reasons. We have been unfortunate to have many injuries, like I did at the start of the season.”

For Konate, to avoid a repeat in the future, a stronger squad may be needed, explaining: “We may have been short of players. The workload has been intense and has become complicated. But the season is not over yet.”

However, the former RB Leipzig player doesn’t think Anfield isn’t the best place for his future. And he has made clear that his goal is solely to bring more trophies to Merseyside.

For Konate, to avoid a repeat in the future, a stronger squad may be needed, explaining: “We may have been short of players. The workload has been intense and has become complicated. But the season is not over yet.”

However, the former RB Leipzig player doesn’t think Anfield isn’t the best place for his future. And he has made it clear that his goal is solely to bring more trophies to Merseyside.

“When you play for Liverpool, the honest question is ‘Where can I go now?'” he added. “You have to perform to last at such a club. My aim is to be a key player in the short and long term and of course win all the trophies within reach.”

Konate lost two major finals for club and country last year in the Champions League and World Cup. But he said: “I’m lucky enough to have no regrets. When I look at the scenario against Real Madrid again, I say to myself: “What more could I have done?” Well, no nothing. “The World Cup final, I have a few precious minutes and I’m also like, ‘What else could I have done Gvardiol?’ And I don’t see it. I regret it for the team, but not personally.”