According to reports from Marca yesterday afternoon, Manchester United may have to wait until after the UEFA Super Cup final to sign Barcelona star Pedro.
The 27 year-old has claimed every accolade going during his spells with the Catalans and the Spanish national team – winning five La Liga titles, three Champions League titles, the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship – but is expected to leave the Nou Camp this summer after slumping behind Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in the pecking order.
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He’s been strongly linked with Premier League foursome Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United in recent weeks, but it’s the latter club who are believed to be in pole position for his signature.
Indeed, reports earlier this week revealed the 51-cap international has already informed friends that he’s heading for Old Trafford, with the Red Devils eyeing him as the perfect replacement for PSG-bound Angel Di Maria.
But according to Marca, Barcelona are keen to hold onto Pedro until August 11th, when they face Europa League winners Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup final. Messi and Neymar have managed just one full week of training since returning from the Copa America and Luis Enrique is concerned that he may need extra cover out wide.
Resultantly, however, United could be left short for their opening Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur on August 8th.
Di Maria is widely expected to be a PSG player by then, leaving Louis van Gaal a choice between Ashley Young, Memphis Depay and Juan Mata for the wide positions.