Barcelona Transfer News: Liverpool Make Contact over Pedro, Adriano Exit Rumours
It looks increasingly likely that Barcelona's Pedro is set for the Premier League this summer after Liverpool made their move for the winger, while Roma are negotiating a deal to sign Adriano.
Manchester United looked poised to bring Pedro in, but Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo (via Metro's Louis Sealey) reported that the Reds have now made their surge to acquire the player.
Sealey also alleged that Pedro has informed friends he's Manchester United-bound, but Liverpool look to be picking up their transfer activity in time to compete.
According to Milanese journalist Tancredi Palmeri, United recently went ahead of Chelsea in the search to sign Pedro after increasing the wages offered to him:
Pedro's prospects of first-team football look daunting for the upcoming campaign, with new signings Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal only adding to the competition provided by Lionel Messi and Neymar.
And it's another piece of Barcelona's attacking puzzle, Luis Suarez, who has advised his team-mate to stay and fight for his spot under Luis Enrique, according to Spanish newspaper Marca (via Goal's Peter Thompson): "Pedro's thing is an individual decision. He's had many years at the club, he has won many titles, and his decision will be respected. But as a team-mate, obviously, I want Pedro to stay because of the importance that he has on a group level."
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has done his bit in an attempt to lure the winger to his old stomping ground, via his official Instagram account:
Barca may be expected to speed up any transfer business after Josep Maria Bartomeu was re-elected club president, meaning any decisions can be made more smoothly from here.
Liverpool's recent purchase of Christian Benteke, as noted by James Dickenson of the Express, shows Liverpool are seeking major improvements this summer, with Pedro's release clause standing at £22.5 million.
Adriano Closes on Roma Switch
Another player with strong chances of moving on from Barcelona this summer is left-back Adriano, who reportedly favours a move to Serie A giants Roma, according to Mundo Deportivo (via Football Espana).
The report insists the Brazilian's agent is currently in Catalonia hoping to sanction the move, with Roma hoping to seal his signature for "no more than €8 million (£5.6 million)."
David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com claimed that Roma director Walter Sabatini is also involved in the hopes of luring Adriano, adding that Roma have a verbal agreement with the player.
The Giallorossi still need to agree a fee with Barcelona, but the Blaugrana may be reluctant to sell many of their players until the club's transfer embargo runs out on January 1, 2016.
Adriano sits behind Jordi Alba in the team's pecking order, while last year's summer arrival, Jeremy Mathieu, adds to the list of players competing at left-back.
Roma's investment in Ashley Cole hasn't been as fruitful as the Italians might have hoped, with the club presumably looking to upgrade their options on the left flank.
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