One of the most striking cases this season at Barça has been Gavi's. After spending almost a year on the sidelines, he returned to the field last October. His return caused excitement, but the truth is he hasn't managed to regain the role he had before the injury.
Since his breakthrough with Koeman, Gavi earned a permanent spot thanks to his character, intensity, and commitment. However, now the situation has completely changed. The competition in his position is enormous, and Flick has made it clear that he has other tactical preferences.
Gavi, without a spot as a starter
Currently, Gavi finds it very difficult to be a starter. The German coach has formed a solid trio with Dani Olmo, Pedri, and De Jong, which seems unmovable. This forces the '6' to settle for minutes from the bench, something that didn't happen a year ago.
The problem is that, moreover, Gavi isn't the first option among the substitutes either. On more than one occasion, he has seen Fermín López come on before him. That has caused some frustration for the Andalusian, who doesn't fully understand his new situation.
Manchester United can save Gavi if...
Fermín López, who keeps a great friendship with Gavi, is being his executioner. They have known each other since the youth categories and maintain a very special relationship. The surprising thing is that, while Gavi loses weight, his friend keeps growing.
His performance has been so positive that it has attracted the interest of major entities. Manchester United, for example, already tried to sign Fermín López in January. At that time, they offered 30 million euros, but Barça rejected the proposal.
Signing that opens opportunities
With character, arrival, and a good shot, Fermín López has earned Flick's trust through good performances. But his progression has also put him in the market's showcase.
Manchester United's interest hasn't disappeared. In fact, they will try again to sign him in the summer, and this time with a more ambitious proposal. If Fermín decides to leave, that could open the door for Gavi to regain prominence.
Summer with many unknowns
The future of Gavi and Fermín will be defined in the coming weeks. Everything will depend on the offers that arrive and the decisions Barça makes. What is clear is that if Fermín leaves, Gavi will be able to smile again with more prominence.
Meanwhile, Manchester United doesn't give up. They are very clear that they want Fermín this summer. Gavi, in silence, waits for the opportunity he so desperately needs.