Citizens’ sporting director Txiki Begiristain has contacted Barcelona hierarchy as well Pedro in order to convince him for a move to blue half of Manchester instead of the Red, it has been claimed.
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The news will come as a major blow for United, who, according to the Mirror, were willing to activate his £22m ($34m) release clause as soon as possible.
[REPORT: New-look Manchester United win thanks to Spurs own goal].
His former club’s president has indicated that the forward has already told his friends and family regarding his impending departure, but will only be allowed to do so if the 20-time English champions match the Catalans’ €30m (£21.2m, $33m) valuation.
“It’s been drilled into him by a lifetime at the Nou Camp and why I believe he will be such an important acquisition for United”.
With Di Maria out, there is not much option in the right wing for Louis Van Gaal and Juan Mata willfind some stiff competition in the attacking midfield.
If Pedro does complete his move to Old Trafford on Wednesday, he’ll become van Gaal’s sixth major signing of the summer and I think it will prove to be an excellent piece of business.
City have sold Edin Dzeko to Roma and are light up front as a result which is why Pedro has entered their thinking, although a more direct replacement for the departed target man is possible.
Barcelona want to keep Pedro for their Super Cup game with Sevilla on Tuesday with Lionel Messi not fully fit and Neymar ruled out with mumps.
Angel Di Maria signed for PSG just a year after his British-record £59.7 million move to Manchester United. “If the team don’t get off to a good start, they will be out of the title race for another year”.
Furthermore, should Pedro join, he’d be joining a number of big name signings made this summer in Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger.
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“They will understand his requirements straight away and immediately do what is asked of them”.
