Liverpool open transfer talks over Barcelona GOLDEN BOY

Liverpool's summer transfer window was largely quiet, with the club opting for a cautious approach.

The squad that Arne Slot inherited was considered to already be at a high standard and the intention was to make sure that no rash transfers would be made that could upset the balance of the team.

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However, on occasion, opportunistic transfer moves would open up, and Liverpool made sure to be alert to them, should they prove to be cost-effective.

Federico Chiesa's arrival was a clear example of such an approach; the now 27-year-old is in the prime of his career, in need of regular minutes to return to his former high standards after a number of recent injury spells. At £12.5m, the Reds had a once world-class winger for a relatively risk fee.

In continuing their scouting missions during the season, the club may have found another 'opportunistic' signing in waiting.

Liverpool have already approached Gavi at Barcelona

Since he received the UEFA Golden Boy award and the Kopa Trophy in 2022, Gavi has had a tumultuous time at Barcelona.

In the 2023/24 season, he tore his ACL which sidelined him for 11 months (45 club games) and his fitness issues have been problematic ever since.

While he's been away Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has opted for a double-pivot defensive midfield partnership, between Pedri and Marc Casado, leaving the 20-year-old isolated on the sidelines.

As Liverpool know only too well with Chiesa, a troubled injury history is not something you can easily ignore, but while he is still at the precipice of his career, Gavi is understandably a player that Europe's elite clubs still take notice of.

Arne Slot has already shown his ability to improve players, with Ryan Gravenberch's magnificent season playing as a No6 for the first time in his career, so it could well be a match made in heaven if Gavi were to join the Reds.

Arne Slot LOVES Gavi

According to El Nacional, "Arne Slot is convinced that he is a player who can fit perfectly into their [Liverpool's] systems and that he would be capable of rescuing his best version.

"They [Liverpool] have already dared to make an enquiry to find out his availability and price."

While it is entirely possible that Flick may end up bringing Gavi back into Barcelona's midfield full-time, young players need minutes on the pitch in order to develop and grow in their careers, and Liverpool are in need of further midfield recruits.

In the context of his current contract with the Spanish giants, which expires in 2026, Liverpool might find themselves in a strong negotiating position in the summer to secure his signature for a reduced price, as they could risk losing him next season on a free transfer if they are not careful.

Of course, the potential move from Liverpool would be incredibly ambitious, and they would have to edge out a number of different competitors who are also likely to be managing Gavi's situation.

But while they remain atop the Premier League and the Champions League, sitting on a 20-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, the Reds are arguably the most in-form team in the world - an incredibly attractive prospect for any aspiring player.

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