Chelsea enter race for Spain international with midfielder set to ‘lose minutes’ at Barcelona

Chelsea are still hoping to sign Barcelona midfielder Gavi if he becomes available this summer, according to reports in Spain.

The Blues have already secured the signing of Moises Caicedo from Brighton this week in a deal that could rise to as much as £115m with Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia and Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise also understood to be on the way.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that a move for Lavia is a “done deal” while they are also “closing in on a deal” for Olise, although Crystal Palace have apparently made a complaint to Chelsea over their handling of the transfer.

Romano added in his Caught Offside column: “Chelsea are also closing in on a deal for Michael Olise from Crystal Palace. They’ve triggered the release clause – there is still something to clarify with Crystal Palace in terms of the mechanism of the release clause, and then they will proceed with this signing.

“The player has already said yes to a long-term deal with Chelsea. He was also on Manchester City’s list but their focus is on Jeremy Doku.

“It’s been a busy summer for Chelsea, but are they done yet? I can’t say for sure right now – with Chelsea signings never say never!”

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And Spanish publication Sport claims the Blues are still hoping to land Barcelona midfielder Gavi if the youngster becomes available this summer.

It is understood that Gavi ‘is going to lose minutes and that has revived the interest of some teams’ and specifically Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.

An injury in pre-season has slowed him down ahead of the new campaign but Sport claim ‘the reality is that he may have less participation in the eleven if there are no injuries and sanctions’.

The addition of Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer from Manchester City means that Gavi could struggle to get game time in ‘highest level matches’.

New signings in midfield have ‘not gone unnoticed’ by the Spain international but he still ‘only has Barca in mind’ after taking a salary cut to sign a new deal.

Sport adds: ‘During the summer, clubs like Chelsea or PSG have approached his environment without having any chance of signing him. Neither the boy nor Barça wanted to negotiate, but the interest is still there.

‘The English club is bursting the market and PSG already has cash and a Luis Enrique who has always bet on the footballer.’