Barcelona Midfielders Gavi,Fermín López Face Multi-Month Injury Layoffs

Barcelona midfielder Gavi will miss four to five months due to knee surgery to repair medial meniscus cartilage, sidelining him until at least mid-February and causing him to miss significant La Liga and Champions League matches, as well as Spain's World Cup qualifiers. This injury is separate from his previous ACL tear in the same knee, and the club is cautious about his recovery to avoid further complications. In response to Gavi's absence, Barcelona is reportedly planning to pursue a loan deal for Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo during the January transfer window to bolster their squad. Alongside Gavi's setback, Barcelona also faces a muscle injury to midfielder Fermín López, who will be out for approximately three weeks, impacting upcoming league and Champions League fixtures. The club is managing a challenging injury situation amidst financial constraints, with coach Hansi Flick relying on other midfield options like Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Dani Olmo to cover for the absences. Barcelona has emphasized a cautious approach to Gavi's recovery, aiming for the best long-term outcome despite the immediate impact on their campaign.