Chelsea have launched an operation to sign Barcelona’s young star Gavi this summer – with talks reportedly already held between the Blues and the player’s representatives.

The 18-year-old Spain international midfielder could be available for nothing if there is no solution to the contract registration row between his club and LaLiga.

Barcelona haven’t been able to register Gavi as a first-team player, despite his importance to the side, because of their ongoing financial struggles.

Diario AS reported that Chelsea plan to take advantage of the situation by presenting a compelling case to persuade the teenager to join them.

They say an initial meeting took place in Madrid three weeks ago between Gavi’s midfielder Ivan de la Pena and Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell.

Chelsea’s aim was to express their desire to sign Gavi and to stress how important a role he would be to their side going forward.

AS report the first meeting was satisfactory for all involved and a second one is expected shortly to discuss the next steps.

Gavi isn’t happy with Barcelona for the way they have handled the contract situation after he was stripped of the No 6 shirt, as worn by legends such as Xavi, and made to go back to the No 30.

Barcelona have not been able to register him as a first-team squad member but are adamant a solution an be found ahead of next season.

The four-year contract extension Gavi signed back in September, which contained a £879million (€1 billion) release clause, will no longer be valid because LaLiga didn’t register it.

Gavi would be able to leave for nothing in the summer if an answer isn’t found, a true bargain for Chelsea, who shelled out £323m on new players in January.

Barcelona had initially managed to find a legal route around LaLiga’s refusal to register Gavi’s new deal but this was overturned on March 25 and he reverted to a youth team contract, negating his transfer market value.

It could well be the case that former Barcelona player and manager Luis Enrique could be Gavi’s manager at Chelsea next season, after talks with owner Todd Boehly last week.

The Blues are on the hunt for a new permanent manager after Graham Potter was fired with the club languishing mid-table in the Premier League.

Frank Lampard returned to the club as interim manager last week, his tenure beginning with a 1-0 defeat at Wolves on Saturday.