A £22.3 million (€32m) fee has been agreed between
the two clubs, but the Catalans are keen for the forward to stay with them
until after the Uefa Super Cup next Tuesday. Manchester United and Barcelona have reached
agreement over the transfer of Pedro, but the Champions League holders are keen
to retain the player until after next week’s Uefa Super Cup.
The two sides have settled on a transfer fee of
£18.1 million (€26m) initially, with a potential further £4.2m (€6m) to be paid
in variable bonuses. But the European champions face Europa League
winners Sevilla in the traditional season curtain-raiser in Tbilisi on Tuesday,
and want to be able to call upon Pedro to play a part.
Lionel Messi and Neymar have only recently returned
from an extended break following their Copa America commitments, and neither is
likely to play a full 90 minutes in the Super Cup clash.
As a result Pedro is likely to play a significant
role before finalising a move to Old Trafford, meaning United will begin the
Premier League season against Tottenham on Saturday without the 28-year-old in
the squad.
The Spain international signed a new four-year deal
in June, with the club announcing publicly that his €150m release clause
remained in effect. However, a gentlemen’s agreement was made allowing the
player to leave for a lower fee should the buying club suit both parties.
While Pedro has yet to agree personal terms with
United, he is keen on a switch which would allow him greater playing time than
he has experienced since Luis Suarez’s arrival at the Camp Nou last summer.
United boss Louis van Gaal admitted recently that
the 28-year-old is just the type of player his team has been lacking. “Barcelona
have the speed of Neymar and Messi – and they have Pedro behind them. We have
to compete with that,” he told The Sun.
“We can win the title if we can buy players with
speed and creativity. We have to improve our selection in that way.”
Pedro has scored 98 goals in 318 appearances for
Barcelona, and head coach Luis Enrique insisted recently that he wanted the
forward to remain with the club.
“Pedro is a high-level player and as a coach I want
him to stay here, but is his decision,” he said.
Source: Goal.com
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