Gavi contract: Court dismisses Barcelona appeal

A Barcelona court has ruled against Xavi's La Liga leaders in their attempts to register Gavi's new contract.

18-year-old Gavi agreed the terms of a senior contract earlier this season but Barcelona's attempts to register the deal with La Liga have been blocked, with the league ruling that the Blaugrana must get back under their salary cap before registering any players.

It leaves Gavi, in the eyes of the law, on the youth contract on which he began the season, with that deal having just three months left to run.

Barcelona appealed La Liga's decision but Mundo Deportivo note that their case has been thrown out of court.

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While it doesn't change a lot this season - Gavi is now seen as a youth player but is still eligible to play in La Liga, although he will have to sacrifice his current number 6 shirt and return to his previous 30 - it creates a fascinating dynamic heading into the next campaign.

Gavi's original contract expires at the end of the season and he will not automatically be retained in the squad next season as, in La Liga's eyes, he will not be under a valid contract unless Barcelona can lower their wage budget.

Sources have confirmed to 90min that Gavi is still focused on staying at Camp Nou next season and has not had his head turned by the possibility to move elsewhere, although a number of sides are keeping a very close eye on things.

Manchester City, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich were all exploring moves for the teenager before he inked his senior deal but, with that agreement out the window, a number of those suitors may choose to reignite their interest.