Manchester United Transfer News: Big-Money Targets Linked in Red Devils Rumours

Manchester United look set to seal the long-rumoured signing of Barcelona forward Pedro but not until the Spaniard has appeared in the European Super Cup against Sevilla on August 11.

With Angel Di Maria set to depart Old Trafford for Paris Saint-Germain, United need a new attacker who can operate on the flanks or through the middle, per Sky Sports.

Spanish newspaper Marca (h/t talkSPORT's Jack Austin) reports that Pedro will make the move to United to fill Di Maria's boots, but Barca boss Luis Enrique will not let him leave until after the Super Cup.

Lionel Messi and Neymar have only just returned to training, thus Pedro will be needed against Sevilla.

However, following that clash, the path will seemingly be clear for Pedro to move to United, with the fee expected to be around £22 million, per Austin.

Some doubt has been thrown on the deal by Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who recently said the club have received no offers for the 28-year-old, per Izzy Horsefield in the Express:

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The team is what it is. It has been put together. We have the team that our coach wanted—it’s done and completed. We don’t foresee any departures from the team. I’ve read many things about a Pedro departure, but no one has officially addressed our club. Our squad is complete.

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But Spanish football expert Sid Lowe believes Barca will eventually let Pedro go, with the World Cup winner having fallen behind Neymar, Messi and Luis Suarez in the attacking pecking order, per ESPN FC.

Pedro will not directly replace Di Maria at United as the Spaniard prefers a more advanced role than the Argentine, per Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell:

Pedro could take up a spot on either flank under United boss Louis van Gaal, and he would also provide cover for Wayne Rooney as a central forward, which is a necessity considering the recent departure of Robin van Persie. 

Van Gaal could apparently also be set to add further to his attack with the signing of Benfica's Nicolas Gaitan, per Fichajes.net (h/t Metro's Jamie Sanderson).

The Argentine has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for some time now, and while no fee has been agreed, United are apparently closing in on signing Gaitan.

The addition of Pedro and Gaitan is certainly an exciting prospect, but BBC Sport's Simon Stone reports that United's supposed interest in the latter is in fact false:

Between the pair, Pedro would seemingly be the better signing as he is proven at the very highest level.

With Di Maria set to depart, United need another star in their ranks, and Pedro looks set to be that player with the Red Devils looking to compete for the Premier League in the coming season.