Problem for Barcelona: Gavi and Araújo have rejected their third contract offer, which expires in a year. Both are already being courted by big clubs

Gavi and Ronald Araújo are the players that Barcelona are counting on for the future for their upcoming return to the elite. However, both players are out of contract next summer and have rejected a third offer of an improved contract. The latter still seems insufficient.

Barcelona’s management has been trying to extend the contracts of Gavi and Araujo for quite a long time. It has become their number one priority and with both contracts expiring in June 2023, the Catalans are trying to come to an agreement as soon as possible.

But it won’t be that easy, as according to Marca and AS, both youngsters have rejected the third contract proposal. The Blaugranas have gradually improved their offers, but not nearly as much as the players would have liked.

Barcelona have chosen a strategy of offering very low contracts at the beginning, only to increase them later. However, they chose the same strategy with Sergi Roberto and Ousmane Dembele and the negotiations eventually collapsed.

But the Catalans must beware. Around Ronaldo Araújo, Manchester United is the hottest candidate to acquire the Uruguayan stopper. Chelsea were also interested, but had to pull out due to recent problems. The Red Devils would have no problems meeting Araújo’s financial demands.

The queue among European big clubs is also standing on Gavi. The 17-year-old, who was unknown until last year, has skyrocketed and is already in the Spanish national team. However, he reportedly doesn’t want to listen to other offers yet as his priority is to stay at Barcelona.

But Barcelona can’t jump at the chance. Its dire financial situation is well known, La Liga recently published a new salary cap, which for the Catalans stands at -147 million euros. So Culés must first sell someone, terminate some contracts, in order to offer the youngsters the corresponding amounts.

However, there is one more hitch, and that is the summer transfers. Andreas Christensen from Chelsea and Franck Kessié from AC Milan should come for free. Christensen, playing in the position of Araujo, should earn €6 million, while Kessié, who will be competition for Gavi, should earn a similar salary.

Barcelona could well lose both jewels. Their contracts expire after next season and if it fails to make a quality offer to the youngsters, it will have to consider selling them so that they don’t leave for free after the season.

Source: Marca, AS