Manchester United Transfer News: Pedro Fears Sparked by Josep Bartomeu

Pedro’s proposed transfer from Barcelona to Manchester United has entered the realms of “when, not if” in the minds of most football fans, but the Blaugrana president Josep Maria Bartomeu has suggested there has been no offer from the Red Devils as of yet.

Indeed, speaking after Barca’s 3-0 win over Roma in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Wednesday, per Nicholas Godden of the MailOnline, Bartomeu claimed manager Luis Enrique is relying on the forward to play a key role moving forward.

“Pedro's last game?” the president said following the pre-season encounter at the Nou Camp. “Not as far as I know. We didn't get any offer and the coach counts on him, he's a key player.”

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As noted by Godden, Enrique has also expressed his thoughts on the matter, insisting that he wants the player to stay in Catalonia. However, the manager did reveal any final decision on the winger’s future doesn’t rest with him.

If the Barcelona supporters had their way, perhaps Pedro wouldn’t be going anywhere, per MessiMinutes:

Nonetheless, the time seems right for the La Masia starlet to finally part ways with his beloved club. Pedro has had some incredible highs in a Barcelona shirt and has been a key figure in many trophy triumphs, but he’s been shunted down the club’s pecking order since the arrival of Luis Suarez. He is unlikely to retake a regular starting spot any time soon.

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At United he’d be the natural replacement for Angel Di Maria who, according to Godden, will finalise his move to Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday. Bleacher Report’s Andy Brassell took a look at whether the Spanish international can fill his shoes:

Enrique may be a little worried about losing Pedro. After all, if any of his effervescent front three were to pick up a knock, the 28-year-old would typically be the man to step in and fill their shoes. If he is sold, with Barca unable to bolster their squad until January, the club could be a little short of depth in attacking areas for the first portion of the season.

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But, as was the case with Pedro himself when first bursting onto the scene at the Camp Nou, it’ll allow Enrique to give a chance to some younger academy starlets that are keen to make a mark in the first XI.

Barca’s loss will be United’s gain, though, as we can see here:

Although Bartomeu is coy about any potential move, all indications seem to point towards a deal being done once Di Maria is sold. Although Pedro may not command the kind of grandeur that a lot of players linked with United this summer do, his direct running, goalscoring instincts and positional discipline will make him a big favourite at Old Trafford.

Pedro may find the prospect of leaving his longstanding employers galling, but he’d depart the club as one of the most decorated players in Barcelona history. He owes it to himself to go in search of first-team football elsewhere. Hopefully, this vibrant footballer can rediscover his very best should he secure a move to Manchester United.