Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Pedro and Marc Bartra Rumours
Barcelona increased their chances of offloading wing veteran Pedro this summer after his buyout-clause fee was lowered, and the club could see Marc Bartra leave after he opened up on Serie A interest.
According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo (via James Cambridge of Daily Express), Pedro's contract has been revised and his buyout clause has been reduced from £107 million to just £21.5 million (€30 million).
It's a far more agreeable figure for the Spaniard's suitors, and Cambridge cites Spanish newspaper Sport in reporting Pedro is holding out for a move to Chelsea.
Metro insists Chelsea playmaker and former Barca midfielder Cesc Fabregas has convinced his old team-mate to join the Blues, while Sport (via 101 Great Goals) proclaim Chelsea will meet the revised buyout fee:
It's highly unlikely any move will come to fruition before Barcelona hold their presidential election on July 18, especially when you consider the fact Arda Turan's recent transfer from Atletico Madrid could yet be reversed.
Having struggled to lock down a prominent first-team role under Luis Enrique last season, Pedro understands he sits in "a tricky position," recently telling Spanish newspaper Marca (via Goal's Enis Koylu):
"I'm in a tricky position. We'll see what's best for everyone. I'm only thinking about relaxing and spending the next few days on holiday. He [Turan] has a lot of quality. He'll bring a lot to the team."
Turan's arrival at Camp Nou only further intensifies competition out wide, as if Pedro's prospects weren't dimmed enough by the presence of Lionel Messi, Neymar and the recently arrived Aleix Vidal.
The 27-year-old still has obvious quality, though, and he is entering the peak of his career, making him a promising candidate for whichever team succeeds in sealing his signature.
Despite making just 15 starts in La Liga last term, Pedro scored six goals and made six assists for the Blaugrana as Enrique led his side to the treble.
The decision to reduce his buyout clause would suggest Barcelona are open to selling their experienced speedster, with interested parties circling.
Marc Bartra Finds Napoli Prospect 'Interesting'
Bartra is another among Barcelona's ranks hoping for an increase in first-team involvement, and the centre-back is said to be favourable toward a Serie A switch this summer.
The player's representative, Javier Diaz, has been quoted as telling NapoliCalcioLive.com (via Football Italia) the Italian top flight would be "very interesting" for his client:
“We can’t rule anything out. We are working for Bartra’s future and will see what happens. Napoli? I can’t say anything other than Serie A is a very interesting League.”
Bartra made just 14 appearances in La Liga last season and sat behind the likes of Gerard Pique, Jeremy Mathieu and Javier Mascherano in the pecking order.
He was previously quoted by Sport as saying he's turned down offers to leave Camp Nou in the past, while Radio Marca (via ESPN FC) reports Bartra's release clause now stands at just €12 million because of his lack of game time:
Thomas Vermaelen will be expected to make a return to fitness this season and challenge for playing time in defence, giving Bartra a dilemma regarding his chances in 2015-16.
Napoli boast a number of Spanish players, including Jose Callejon, Pepe Reina, Raul Albiol and David Lopez, which would make a potential switch to Naples an easier transition than it otherwise might be.
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