Report: Napoli eyeing opportunity for Barcelona and 2026 World Cup winning midfielder

Monday’s reports claim that Napoli are eyeing an ambitious January transfer for Barcelona midfielder and 2026 World Cup winner Gavi, whose opportunities at club level have been significantly reduced this season.

Report: Napoli want Gavi from Barcelona in January

It has been a troubling start to the 2026-27 season for Napoli, who were beaten by Juventus on Sunday and now find themselves in eighth place in Serie A after 10 matches, already 13 points behind the league leaders and nine points away from the Champions League spots. Head coach Massimiliano Allegri has now lost six and won only four of his first 13 competitive matches in charge.

Having had a quiet summer transfer window, and with accusations that the current squad is one that is coming to the end of a cycle, there have been suggestions that Napoli will have to dip into the January transfer market to get their season back on track.

According to reports from Calciomercato.com, Napoli are interested in a potential January deal for Barcelona midfielder Gavi.

The 22-year-old, who has already racked up 168 appearances for Barcelona, has struggled for consistent playing time under Hansi Flick in 2026-27. A minor knee issue affected his start to the campaign, but since then, he has only started twice for Barca and has only appeared for 146 minutes in LaLiga. He has three Champions League appearances to his name as well, but only for a combined 45 minutes.

Compatriots Rodri, Pedri and Fermin Lopez appear to be Flick’s first-choice midfield combination as things stand.

Calciomercato claims that Barcelona no longer consider Gavi to be an ‘untransferable’ player, and that there is a possibility he is allowed to leave as early as January. Napoli are reportedly at the front of the queue, and Manchester United had also sought his services in the summer.

Barcelona will reportedly seek a fee in the region of €40m to sell Gavi this season.