According to reports from Spanish publication Sport this morning – summarised in English by CSAR – Manchester United have launched a £19million bid for Barcelona winger Pedro.
The 27 year-old, whose CV boasts three Champions League titles, five La Liga titles, the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship, is widely expected to leave the Nou Camp this summer after slumping behind Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar in the pecking order.
Rumours of his availability have triggered plenty of interest in the Premier League, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all linked to his services over the last few weeks.
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But the Old Trafford outfit are reportedly the front-runners in the race to sign the Spain international. Reports last week claimed that Pedro has already told friends of his intentions to join the Red Devils, whilst his mother has stated that the 5 foot 6 attacker is on the verge of moving to England.
Yesterday morning, The Daily Star alleged that he’s already agreed a five-year contract worth £17.5million and according to Sport, United have now launched an official £19million bid.
But it falls short of Barcelona’s £21million valuation, which would activate the release clause included in Pedro’s new contract signed at the start of the summer.
Although the forward is now certain to miss the Red Devils’ opening fixture of the Premier League season against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, Louis van Gaal is hoping to sign him before their Champions League play-off tie on August 18th.