“Within a week Gavi was already visiting La Masia” - Ex-Barcelona Youth Football chief explains how Catalans beat Real Madrid to sign Gavi

Former Barcelona Youth Football director Jordi Roura recently revealed how they beat archrivals Real Madrid to sign star midfielder Gavi. The 20-year-old is considered one of the club's best midfielders currently.

Gavi joined Barcelona's famed academy La Masia from the Real Betis academy in 2015 at the age of 11. The Spaniard made his senior team debut in a 2-1 LaLiga win against Getafe in August 2021, coming on as a substitute for Sergi Roberto. Gavi has recorded seven goals and 14 assists in 114 appearances for La Blaugrana across competitions. He also has five goals in 27 caps for Spain.

In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, former Barcelona Youth football chiefs Jordi Roura and Aureli Altimira spoke about how they signed multiple young talents for La Masia. Speaking about Gavi, Roura said (via Barca Universal):

“We got very good information from the Andalusian scouts. And it is essential to know how to use it. On Sunday we were already watching him in Seville. I immediately called Aureli."

He added:

"Because we had to get active quickly. We spoke to his agent, Ivan de la Pena, because Real Madrid, Atlético and Villarreal were all watching and within a week Gavi was already visiting La Masia. Speed was key."

After 10 months of recovery, Gavi recently returned to the pitch during Barcelona's 5-1 win over Sevilla in LaLiga on September 20. The Spaniard had picked up an ACL injury in November 2023 during international duty.

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"Real Madrid can sign whoever they want" - When Barcelona star Gavi made bold claim ahead of 2023 summer transfer window

Gavi during El Clasico - Source: Getty

In a June 2023 interview with Diario Sport, Gavi made a confident claim about Real Madrid's big signings in the summer transfer window. Los Blancos had made important signings that season, including Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund for a reported €103 million.

Gavi said (via Barca Blaugranes):

“Barça is not in its best moment financially, but we have young players who have come through the ranks and we have a great team. Real Madrid can sign whoever they want, I don’t care. We have who we have and we’ll fight until death.”

Gavi's confidence in La Masia mirrors the Catalan giants' philosophy, who have produced multiple big talents. The 2023-24 season did not end well for Barca as La Blaugrana finished trophyless. However, they have reinforced their squad since, bringing in some of their academy talents into the senior team.

Barcelona's current squad comprises multiple La Masia graduates, including Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde and Fermin Lopez. Under new coach Hansi Flick, La Blaugrana currently sit atop the LaLiga table with 30 points off 11 games.