SHARE

Barcelona midfielder Gavi has admitted he is now a regular watcher of Brighton and Hove Albion games, thanks to Ansu Fati’s loan move to the club.

The midfielder has been speaking to La Vanguardia, relayed by Sport, regarding various issues at Barcelona and his own career.

He is one of a new generation of talents from La Masia currently shining in the first team, having joined Barcelona as a youngster in 2015 and worked his way up the various youth ranks.

He’s now a bonafide star and key player for the future, a status that was once also afforded to Fati after his own rise.

He was considered the heir to Lionel Messi but has fallen out of favour under Xavi, with injuries also limiting his playing time and his chance to establish himself under the Spanish coach.

He finds himself at Brighton this season, electing to join them on loan at the end of the summer transfer window in an attempt to get regular playing time and get his career back on track.

While only a temporary exit it has been seen as the start of the end to his Barcelona career, with it reported yesterday that they’re eyeing a big sale next year depending on how he gets on with the Seagulls.

Gavi doesn’t see that happening, though, and instead hopes the forward will be returning to the Nou Camp after a year in the Premier League.

“I’m a football geek, I watch a lot of games with friends at home, especially the Premier League,” he said.

“I like some teams more than others. I follow Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and now especially Brighton because they play well, and Ansu Fati is also there.

“I see Ansu well. I am convinced that he will regain his confidence and hopefully he will return to us. We have been friends since we met at La Masia, and I want him to always be well.”