Arsenal Transfer News: Pedro Blow Dealt to Arsene Wenger by Barcelona

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique is reportedly not entertaining the idea of letting Pedro leave the Camp Nou, providing Arsenal with a major blow in their ambitions to sign the Spain international.

Rumours have been abounding for some time now—going right back to the summer, per John Drayton in the Daily Mail—that Arsene Wenger is interested in bringing the 27-year-old to the Emirates.

Indeed, Charles Perrin in the Express reported on Sunday that the £25 million-valued Pedro had handed in a transfer request at Barca as he is unhappy with his lack of game time—especially with Luis Suarez finally now available after serving his four-month biting ban.

However, Jack Wilson in the Daily Star is now reporting that Pedro will not be allowed to leave the Camp Nou, citing Barca's transfer ban until January 2016 as a significant factor as they would not be able to replace him if they moved him on.

Pedro has started five of Barcelona's nine games so far this season but is almost certainly going to see his playing time reduced with the £65 million Suarez now available. Spanish football writer Sergi Dominguez unfavourably compares the two:

It is unsurprising that Enrique wishes to keep Pedro around considering his versatility and ability to play as a second striker on either flank. He is essential as back-up, should Neymar, Messi or Suarez get injured.

It is likely these attributes are also those which Wenger wants added to his own setup at Arsenal as Pedro would bring pace and drive to an already strong, but inconsistent attacking unit that includes Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck, Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski and the perennially injured Theo Walcott.

Paul White/Associated Press

Spanish football expert Graham Hunter told talkSPORT exactly what Pedro could bring to the Arsenal outfit, stressing he would be a fine addition:

"

He has got things that will delight people in Britain. 

Technically, he is a very good footballer. He is tremendously quick, he works hard without the ball, he will press and harass. 

He is an out and out winger but he can play wing-back and his scoring rate for Spain is verging on one a game. 

If they [Arsenal] buy him, they will be buying well and they will be much more difficult to play against when they are seeking the ball because Pedro harasses, chases and snaps.

"

The Spaniard would have been ideal for Arsenal, who continue to have inconsistency problems—see Ozil and Podolski—and fitness issues in attack with Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey.

However, they also have problems in their defensive unit and desperately need a new centre-back and deep-lying midfielder in January.

Thus, the new year is likely going to be active for Arsenal in the transfer window, but Wenger is going to have to look elsewhere for additions to his forward line as Barcelona look unlikely to let such a valuable squad player as Pedro go.