LaLiga has rejected Barcelona’s request to register Gavi as a first-team player with a new, improved contract, sources have told ESPN.
The 18-year-old midfielder, agreed terms in September on a new deal to keep him at Camp Nou until 2026, including a €1 billion release clause.
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Barca filed the paperwork with the league on Wednesday, hoping to formally register Gavi with the first-team squad before the end of the January transfer window next week.
Until now — despite playing for the first team since 2021 — the Spain international has technically remained a youth team player.
Sources told ESPN that LaLiga had turned down Barca’s request, because the club have no room to register Gavi within their squad spending limit.
The decision should come as no surprise, sources said, as the club were aware they had little to no room to manoeuvre.
