Louis van Gaal has dropped a big hint that Manchester United are close to signing Pedro.
The Dutchman was fielding questions from the press on Thursday, ahead of United’s Premier League trip to Aston Villa this evening, when a possible transfer for the Barcelona forward was raised.
Van Gaal insisted that he would not discuss anything until the player is signed, but is quoted as saying by The Guardian: “When he has signed, I’ll come to you and say Pedro is here.”
Pedro has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, and Barcelona officials this week confirmed that the 28-year-old had asked to leave the Camp Nou in order to find more regular football.
But the World Cup winner will not be allowed to leave Catalonia unless his €30m release clause is met. Spanish football expert Guillem Balague claimed on Friday that Manchester City had made an offer that exceeded this figure, but the Red Devils are reportedly yet to match Pedro’s valuation.
Yet Van Gaal’s comments suggest that he is confident of securing the services of the Spaniard, who has scored 98 goals in 318 appearances since his 2007 debut for the Catalan giants, the last of which may have been the extra-time winner in their UEFA Super Cup triumph over Sevilla on Tuesday.
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