Arsenal Transfer News: Pedro Hopes Grow After Reported Transfer Request

Rumours are emerging that Barcelona forward Pedro has reportedly handed in a transfer request to the Camp Nou giants, increasing Arsenal's hopes they may be able to snap him up in January.

As reported by Charles Perrin in the Express, the Gunners have been interested in the 27-year-old for some time and Pedro is apparently unhappy in Spain and has asked to be sold.

The Spaniard reportedly wants more game time but, while he has started five of Barca's nine league games this season per WhoScored.com, the return of Luis Suarez from suspension is likely to see Pedro spend more time on the bench.

Paul White/Associated Press

Indeed, the Uruguayan summer signing from Liverpool started against Real Madrid on Saturday—the first game Suarez has been eligible for after his four-month biting ban—with Pedro limited to a 20-minute substitute appearance.

Having spent £65 million on Suarez after he scored 31 league goals for the Reds last season, Barcelona certainly see him as the No. 1 choice up front ahead of Pedro.

However, were he to move to Arsenal, Pedro would likely get a great deal more game time as the Gunners are short in the attacking department.

Their only genuine strikers are Danny Welbeck and the injured Olivier Giroud, so Pedro could act as good foil for either of those two players in a strike partnership.

Pedro also has the ability to play out on the flanks and has previous experience of playing with Arsenal's recent capture Alexis Sanchez, the Chilean having plied his trade at the Camp Nou until the summer.

Indeed, Arsenal reportedly only pursued Sanchez after their attempts to bring in Pedro were thwarted, per Metro:

The former Udinese man already has five league goals for the Gunners in eight appearances, per WhoScored.com, a return which boss Arsene Wenger could add to further by bringing in Pedro.

Perrin reports the forward's value at £25 million, but if he is indeed looking to force a move away, the Gunners would do well to enter into negotiations with Barcelona.

He scored 15 league goals last season, per Squawka, and would bring an added spark to Arsenal's attack. With Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski's inconsistent form and Theo Walcott's constant injury problems, Pedro would provide greater depth and another attacking threat up front.