Gavi has already given Manchester United clear transfer reminder amid Barcelona contract U-turn

Barcelona midfielder Gavi could leave the Catalan club on a free transfer this summer - and the teenager has already shown Manchester United why they should be interested.

The 18-year-old played the full 90 minutes against Erik ten Hag's team during the first leg of their Europa League knockout round play-off at Camp Nou as the hosts initially led before coming from behind to draw 2-2.

A booking picked up for a cynical foul minutes before former Leeds United forward Raphina equalised denied Gavi a trip to Old Trafford for the return fixture. That was his first taste of football against English opposition

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Barcelona head coach Xavi admitted the player was a massive miss during the second leg against United alongside fellow young midfield Pedri, who was unavailable due to injury. "They are players that decide games," he said, "so we really missed them. If they'd had played today, I don't think we'd have had as many issues."

Former Spanish national team head coach Luis Enrique has waxed lyrical about the player who he handed a senior international debut at 17 years old, making Gavi the youngest Spanish international. After starring at the World Cup debut, Enrique made clear how highly he rated the midfielder.

"The most surprising thing for everyone is that someone, at 18 years and 100 days old, has that amount of self-confidence," he said. "You have to look at the intelligence he has in his positioning, how he dominates the technical aspects of football, and his physical capacity despite being 18. We have to stay calm, he's 18, but he can define an era."

The teenager primarily plays as a central midfielder in Barcelona and