Arsenal have reportedly contacted the agent of Barcelona’s Pedro Rodriguez over a summer transfer to the Emirates.
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Arsene Wenger appears to be in the market for attacking reinforcements before next season, with Alexandre Lacazette [Mirror], Karim Benzema [talkSPORT] and Gonzalo Higuain [Daily Star] having all been linked with a switch to the Emirates – and Barca winger Pedro could also be on the French manager’s radar.
Mundo Deportivo stated at the end of June that Pedro was regretting putting pen to paper on a new deal at the Camp Nou, and the Telegraph now report that the Gunners have begun talks with the Spain winger’s representatives over the possibility of him moving to north London this summer.
Only last month the 27-year-old signed a contract extension with the La Liga giants until the end of the 2018-19 campaign, with his release-clause remaining at £110m, according to The Guardian. Just days later, he went on to lift the Champions League trophy.
Despite the lengthy deal having only recently been signed, the Telegraph believe that this may have been a strategic act from Barca – as the club knew that Pedro was likely to attract interest in the summer transfer window.
With the player tied down to a long-term deal, Barca could demand a significant transfer fee for his signature.
The Spaniard made 43 appearances in all competitions for Luis Enrique’s side last season – yet 28 of those came from the substitutes bench.
With Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi proving to have developed an outstanding on-field relationship, forming Europe’s most prolific attacking trio at present, with 81 La Liga goals between them in the 2014-15 campaign, it’s certainly difficult to envisage where – other than on the sidelines – Pedro could fit into Enrique’s future plans.
However, if Pedro really is seeking an exit in the coming months, the player may have to force his departure, as suggested by the Telegraph.
For a club he has served for the past 11 years, this could be no easy task.
Pedro has represented Spain 51 times at senior international level, scoring 16 goals.
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