Xavi has confirmed Barcelona will target a replacement for the injured Gavi in the January transfer window.
The Spanish midfielder tore his ACL while representing his country during last month’s international break and is duly expected to miss the rest of the season as well as Euro 2024.
Standard Sport understands Barca are interested in Tottenham’s Giovani Lo Celso as a potential replacement.
Spurs are believed to have snubbed their advances during the summer transfer window when the Catalan giants were targeting a loan deal.
The north London club instead demanded a sizeable transfer fee, something Barca could not agree to.
Lo Celso has found form under Ange Postecoglou following James Maddison’s injury and is not expected to push for any move when the January transfer window opens in a few days’ time.
Asked last month whether he has considered selling the Argentina international in January, the Spurs boss replied: “No, because this is the opportunity where I’m getting to make those assessments.
"[What he did previously] isn’t really relevant to me. It’s more about what I see from now on, and how the players feel in terms of fitting in to the football I want.
Xavi is under pressure to relaunch his side’s LaLiga title challenge this season, with the current Spanish champions trailing shock leaders Girona by nine points.
“We always want to reinforce the pieces we are missing,” said the Barca boss.
“With Gavi's injury we need a player with that profile, it’s clear”.
They will also play Napoli in the Champions League last-16 in February.
