Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Must Beat Competition to Sign Pedro

It won't be cheap, but Liverpool must beat a long list of fellow suitors to sign Barcelona forward Pedro this summer. The Reds will face intense competition for the free-scoring 27-year-old, but he's the marquee addition manager Brendan Rodgers needs.

But answering that need will cost as much as €25 million, according to Catalan publication Sport (h/t Sport Witness). The same report indicates the Anfield club offered that fee last summer, but were rebuffed.

Yet since Pedro has become marginalised this season, Barca will now accept a similar offer. But the Reds will face some stern competition for his signature.

Premier League rivals Arsenal have been quoted a price of £22 million, per Spanish outlet AS (h/t Metro reporter Simon Osborn). That's been followed by another report from Sport (h/t Metro) naming Liverpool's bitter rivals Manchester United as keen suitors.

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These links could have a major impact on Liverpool's desire to add Pedro to a forward line already boasting lightning-fast attackers Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge.

Rodgers' team are currently embroiled in a tense battle for a top-four finish with both Arsenal and United. Just three points separate fifth-placed Liverpool from Arsenal in third, while the Old Trafford club sit in fourth, per the official Premier League website.

Gaining participation in next season's UEFA Champions League will surely be a key factor in convincing Pedro to sign. It's certainly difficult to imagine a player who's won every major honour at Barca settling for a team not contending in Europe's premier club competition.

Yet Liverpool are definitely the form team in this race, per Squawka Football:

The backbone of their unbeaten run in 2015 has been pace and ingenuity in attack. Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Sturridge are too quick and creative for most defences. 

That may lead to the question, does Rodgers' squad even need Pedro?

While it's true in some cases adding to a position of strength is a quick route to luxury signings and an unbalanced squad, this isn't one of them. The Reds need to supplement an attack that doesn't always find goals against top teams. Not since Luis Suarez was sold last summer.

Rodgers tried a scattershot approach after that sale, buying the basis of a new team in last year's market. Slowly but surely, key members of the group have developed well and Liverpool now boast a highly capable squad.

What they need now is a flourish. A marquee player to top things off and act as the catalyst for sustained success.

Pedro can be that player. His movement and forward runs are still among the best in Europe. So is his class and assurance in front of goal.

The Spaniard is perfect for the quick and slick brand of attacking football Rodgers preaches. If Liverpool are really serious about taking a step forward, the club will go all-out for Pedro this summer.