Arsenal Transfer News: Pedro Responds to Gunners and Liverpool Rumours

Barcelona forward Pedro has recently been linked with a move to Arsenal or Liverpool, per Marca (h/t Daily Express' James Dickenson), and after the 6-1 win over Rayo Vallecano, he confirmed rumours he is questioning his future at the club.

As reported by beIN Sports (h/t Sport's S.Dacal), the 27-year-old remains committed to the Catalans for the rest of the season, but he didn't shy away from stating he's having a hard time at the Camp Nou:

"

It is clear that it is difficult to find a place in this team.

You can see throughout the whole season that I have had very few chances [to play], but I must wait for them and take advantage of them when they come.

I will value my future in the summer and I will talk with the club then. But as for now I am focused on the club, really keen to play and to play well.

"

The Spain international made only his second start since late January on Sunday, filling in for the suspended Neymar in the 6-1 thrashing of Rayo Vallecano. Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi both shone, while Pedro was largely invisible for large stretches of the match.

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe was anything but impressed, although Pedro's poor performance can largely be blamed on a lack of consistent playing time:

Pedro joined the Catalans when he was 17 and was a pivotal player under Pep Guardiola as a versatile, smart winger who fitted Barcelona's system like a glove.

He's had similar success with Spain's national team, and according to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Barcastuff), the fact he believes he could lose his spot on Vicente del Bosque's side if he doesn't play regular minutes is one of the top reasons he's considering a transfer:

"

Pedro is considering to leave, among other reasons, because he thinks he could lose his ESP spot if he doesn't play enough at Barcelona [md]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) March 7, 2015"

Pedro is a proven, productive winger who shouldn't be as expensive as former team-mate Alexis Sanchez, who joined Arsenal after a fantastic 2014 World Cup. Pedro's contract runs out in 2016—Barcelona must either cash in now or likely lose him on a free transfer.

The emergence of Munir el Haddadi and Adama Traore's impending promotion to the senior squad means the competition for minutes is only going to grow fiercer, and Pedro already seems to have one foot out of the door.

Brazilian football expert Zizouology shared a headline from Sport, which claims Liverpool have already approached the Blaugrana with an offer:

Two questions remain to be answered concerning Pedro. The most obvious is Barcelona's transfer embargo, prohibiting the team from signing a veteran replacement in the event of a sale. El Haddadi and Traore are wildly talented, but the Catalans may not want to risk the youngsters failing to adequately fill Pedro's boots immediately.

The other concern is Pedro's effectiveness outside of Barcelona's possession-based system. The 27-year-old lacks Sanchez's raw physical abilities, which saw him adapt to the English game in a hurry, while Pedro's game is built more around finesse and superb timing.

An £18 million offer sounds fair for a relatively veteran winger with just one year left on his current contract. Fans shouldn't be expecting Pedro to be the new Sanchez, although he would be an impact player for Arsenal or Liverpool.

Both Premier League sides feature plenty of athleticism and youth out wide, and Pedro's smart, disciplined play would add some nice variety to either squad.

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