Gavi remains focused on Barcelona despite limited opportunities under Flick

Gavi has no intention of leaving Barcelona despite making only a limited number of appearances under manager Hansi Flick this season.

Marca reports that neither Barcelona nor Flick are considering the midfielder’s departure, while the player himself has not asked to leave. The club and those close to the 22-year-old insist there is no crisis, although Gavi is keen to take on a bigger role.

Interest from major European clubs has not changed the situation. Several sides have made enquiries about his availability, with reports in Italy and Germany linking him with Napoli and Bayern Munich, but Barcelona’s sporting management have not discussed his future and Gavi has never considered leaving the Catalan club.

Gavi has played 229 minutes in nine matches in all competitions this season. Five of those appearances have come in La Liga and four in the Champions League, with only two starts.

The midfielder is facing strong competition for places in Barcelona’s midfield. Although Flick values his talent and personality and continues to rely on him, the German has generally preferred a central pairing of Pedri and Rodri.

When either Pedri or Rodri is unavailable, Marc Bernal is currently regarded as the first alternative, as was the case in Barcelona’s most recent match against Atletico Madrid.

Gavi began his youth career at Real Betis before joining Barcelona’s La Masia academy in 2015. He can also operate as an attacking midfielder, but that position has been occupied during the opening months of the campaign by Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo. On the left wing, Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi have shared duties.

Despite the competition, his position at Spotify Camp Nou is not considered under threat. Gavi has made 175 appearances for Barcelona and remains committed to the club, as do both the club and Flick.

The player is not satisfied with his current involvement but believes more minutes will come as the season progresses. Flick is expected to have greater scope to rotate his squad during a demanding and congested run of fixtures, and hopes to give Gavi more opportunities.

Flick has also praised the midfielder’s attitude. Gavi has continued to work hard and maintain his motivation and team spirit rather than allowing his reduced role to affect him.

His relationship with Flick also remains strong. Gavi has described the manager as being like a father to him, a bond underlined by the embrace shared by the pair last weekend after Barcelona secured victory over Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano.