From Spain: Barcelona target Rabiot and Verratti to replace Gavi

Diario Sport claims Adrien Rabiot and Marco Verratti are Barcelona‘s primary targets to replace the injured Gavi in January.

Gavi has recently suffered a severe knee injury and has been ruled out for the rest of the season, including the 2024 Euros next summer. Spanish paper Sport claims Rabiot and Verratti are Xavi’s primary options to replace the talented 19-year-old midfielder next month.

Rabiot’s Juventus contract expires in June 2024, but the Bianconeri are willing to extend his stay at the club and are not interested in selling the Frenchman in the winter transfer window. Therefore, the Bianconeri won’t sell the 28-year-old next month unless he pushes to move to Barcelona.

Verratti, on the other hand, joined Qatari side Al-Arabi for circa €45m in September, but Barcelona can’t afford the same fee and can only get the player on loan, according to Sport.

Verratti has signed a contract until 2025, so if Al-Arabi agree to send the Italian out on loan for six months, the ex-PSG star would need to sign a one-year extension with his current club.