Man Utd and Chelsea get double transfer boost as Barcelona wonderkid Gavi and defender Araujo REJECT new contracts
BARCELONA pair Gavi and Ronald Araujo have both reportedly rejected “insufficient” new contract offers.
The news comes as a boost to Premier League sides Manchester United and Chelsea, who have been linked with the duo in the past.
Both defender Araujo, 23, and midfielder Gavi, 17, have been left unimpressed by the latest offer tabled to them, according to Spanish outlet Marca.
It’s further claimed that THREE proposals from the club have already been turned down by both players.
Araujo and Gavi are out of contract at the end of next season, which leaves Barcelona with a dilemma if talks don’t progress any further.
They could be forced to sell this summer in order to gain maximum profits – welcome news for the likes of United and Chelsea.
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Marca suggest Barca kicked off negotiations with incredibly low offers, gradually throwing more money on the table with each rejection.
The same tactic was used in talks with Sergi Roberto and Ousmane Dembele – both of whom rejected all proposals and are out of contract at the end of the campaign.
United have been linked with Uruguayan Araujo after a shaky season at the back has highlighted the need for reinforcements.
Meanwhile the Blues had been on the lookout for a central defender with Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta all set to leave, but sanctions slapped on the club have cast any transfers into serious doubt.
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That has seen United pull ahead in the race for his signature, with Marca claiming the Old Trafford side to be “better placed” in the chase for Araujo.
Both United and Chelsea have also been linked with Gavi, as have Premier League rivals Liverpool.
And he’s available for £42million up until June 30 thanks to a low release clause, before it increases to £100m for the final year of his deal.
Barca are desperate to tie the wonderkid down to a Pedri-style £1billion release clause contract, but as of yet no progress has been made.