Manchester United Transfer News: Pedro Deal Threatened by City and Chelsea

Manchester United may have to get a move on if they are to secure the signing of Pedro from Barcelona, with the latest reports suggesting the winger is being pursued by both Manchester City and Chelsea.

That’s according to Bleacher Report’s Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, who took to social media to outline the current situation on a potential switch to Old Trafford, revealing that there's been strong interest from other Premier League teams, too:

The situation surrounding David De Gea at United—manager Louis van Gaal has insisted that the goalkeeper will not play for the club against Aston Villa on Friday, per James Robson of the Manchester Evening News—will do little to impact any deal, per the aforementioned posts.

As Balague noted, the player has a release clause of €30 million. It’s that fact, coupled with Pedro’s apparent understanding that he needs to leave the Camp Nou, per Balague, that has got a few United fans concerned.

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After all, the terms of any potential transfer seem straightforward; if United, who have a swollen bank balance from the sale of Angel Di Maria, meet the clause, a deal could be done quickly. The fact it’s not been finalised yet suggests the club are either penny-pinching or pursuing other targets.

Perhaps the likes of City and Chelsea have been encouraged by United’s inability to haul this transfer over the line. Although the Red Devils remain the big favourites to get the player on board, losing out on him now at such a late stage in the transfer window would be a massive blow for all at Old Trafford.

Bleacher Report’s Andy Brassell ran the rule over where he would fit into the team:

Indeed, Pedro is a brilliant player. Quick, skilful and decisive with the ball at his feet, the Spain international would add a new dimension to United’s—or perhaps City’s or Chelsea’s, for that matter—surges forward. He’d also bolster a facet of the Red Devils squad that is a little short in both depth and quality.

As we can see here courtesy of OptaJose, Pedro also has a penchant for popping up with vital goals at critical moments in matches:

It’s the kind of signing that would give everyone a lift at United. Granted, in Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Memphis Depay, Van Gaal has made some quality purchases in this window. But the prospect of a thoroughbred attacking talent like Pedro joining the squad is an exciting proposition for those who frequent Old Trafford.

On the flip side, missing out on a player to City would sap major momentum from the Red Devils’ cause. Splitting hairs over relatively meagre amounts simply shouldn’t be an issue for United, and the concerns held by some supporters regarding this transfer will look increasingly valid as the end of the window creeps ever closer.