Manchester United Transfer Rumors: Pedro On Course For Old Trafford Move

Manchester United have been given their biggest boost ahead of securing the signing of Barcelona’s Pedro Rodriguez. Barcelona’s technical secretary, Robert Fernandez, stated that Pedro expressed his wishes to leave amid rumors of Manchester United’s interest.

“Pedro has told me he wants to go. The buy-out clause in his contract is not negotiable but this could be his final game.”

Pedro may have scored his last goal ever for FC Barcelona after coming off the bench to secure the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla in an entertaining 5-4 victory. Despite his win, Pedro shied away from the celebration, signaling that his time of the Spanish and European champions may be up.

Manchester United has been targeting the Spanish forward ever since it was apparent that Argentine winger Angel Di Maria appeared to be joining French club Paris Saint Germain. Pedro has scored 99 goals in 319 games for Barcelona. After the match, teammates Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano praised Pedro.

Mascherano said, “Hopefully he can continue here. He is one of those players that is made for the big moments. He has that touch where he delivers at the vital point.”

Messi continued, “The players and the club don’t know what he is going to do. It is his decision, but whatever he does we wish him the best.”

The Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu also took time out to praise Pedro and has made it known that the forward is welcomed to stay should he wish to do so.

“We want him to stay. The season is very long and with the quality of Pedro there’s no doubt he’d be useful. We’ve already let Pedro know that we want him to stay. If he stays he will continue to help us.”

However, Barcelona legend Hristo Stoichkov warned Pedro that Manchester United may not be the best destination for his career. Stoichkov particularly warned Pedro that Louis Van Gaal would destroy Manchester United citing the recent exit of players such as Angel Di Maria and Victor Valdes.

“Look at the players who have left because of him. His first time at Barca, he destroyed them. Now he has invented another one to destroy and take years to rebuild. With what he has done to [Victor] Valdes, he has shown he is a bad person. I would never leave if I was Pedro because if he goes there he would no longer be a footballer. I hope Pedro listens to me and he tells them, ‘I am staying at Barcelona.'”

Is a transfer to Manchester United the best move for Pedro’s career?

[Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images]