Five options on the table for Barcelona to replace Gavi in January, including PSG duo – report

Barcelona were dealt a serious blow this past Sunday night as midfield mainstay Gavi ruptured the ACL in his right knee while playing for Spain.

The 19-year-old has been a permanent fixture in the starting XI for Xavi over the past two years and his prolonged absence is bound to hurt Barcelona.

As such, the Catalans are studying the possibility of roping in a replacement for Gavi in the January transfer window.

The idea, though, is not to sign someone for the sake of it, but to bring in a player who can offer quality and is currently not playing regularly at their current club, so that they would be willing to push for an exit.

With that in mind Mundo Deportivo is reporting that the reigning La Liga champions have five interesting options on their table for the January window.

Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham)

A player that Barcelona had been linked with during the summer transfer window but did not sign, Giovani Lo Celso is once again back on the agenda at the Catalan club.

The 27-year-old is not a regular for Ange Postecoglou’s side, having played just thrice in the Premier League this season, although he was injured for four matches. He is a player that is appreciated by Xavi and would fit the club’s requirements.

Fabian Ruiz (PSG)

Another player that has been linked with Barça in the past, the 27-year-old Fabian Ruiz is far from being a regular starter at PSG, having featured in the starting XI in less than half of their league matches this term.

Ruiz has also hardly played in the UEFA Champions League this term, which could give him an incentive to explore other opportunities if they come in January.

Carlos Soler (PSG)

Ruiz’s PSG and Spain teammate has been faring much worse under Luis Enrique, as he has played just 285 minutes in all competitions this season (only three starts) and has not seen a single minute of action in the Champions League.

Having been reduced to a testimonial role in Paris, Soler might consider a move away if presented with a chance.

Pablo Fornals (West Ham United)

With just one start in 12 Premier League matches this season, Pablo Fornals has lost some prominence for West Ham United, with most of his minutes coming in the UEFA Europa League thus far.

Indeed, the 27-year-old ex-Villarreal ace has played just 167 minutes of Premier League football across eight games, and 190 minutes in three European fixtures.

Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool)

Another name that has been mentioned quite a bit with Barcelona in recent transfer windows, Thiago is understood to be an option owing to multiple factors, including the fact that his contract at Liverpool expires in 2024.

Thiago, though, is currently injured, having suffered a relapse after undergoing surgery to treat a hip issue in the last season.