Deco says replacing Gavi is ‘impossible’ at Barcelona

Sporting Director of Barcelona, Deco, has insisted Gavi is irreplaceable for the Catalan club despite the teenager suffering a long-term knee injury on international duty with Spain.

Prior to his injury, Gavi, 19, had featured in 111 matches for Barcelona across all competitions since the start of the 2021/2022 season, making him the player with the most minutes played (7,784) in the period.

According to reports in Spain, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez enquired about a possible replacement for the budding midfielder from the club’s management in the upcoming winter transfer window.

However, Deco nullified the reports, indicating Gavi as differential in quality for Barca, thus, rendering a new signing as implausible.

“It’s impossible to replace Gavi. There’s no player on the market with his skills, his mentality.”

“It’s wrong to discuss about replacing Gavi as it’s not possible. We will not find a replacement in January,” he told EFE in Spain.

Despite the injury to Gavi, Barcelona have been boosted by the return of Frenkie de Jong, who returned to team training after two months out with an injury.

Barca take on Rayo Vallecano in their return to La Liga action this weekend at the Estadio de Vallecas.