Manchester United Transfer News: Pedro Doubts Cast by Luis Enrique

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique was coy when quizzed on the position of Pedro on Thursday, with reports continuing to link the winger with a move to the Premier League.

The Blaugrana boss was speaking on the eve of his team’s clash with Athletic Club in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup. When asked whether the 28-year-old would be in the squad, Enrique gave very little away, but he insisted the player is keen on staying at the Camp Nou, per Santi Gimenez of AS:

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He’s the same as he’s been throughout the pre-season. As usual his level of work is very high. We know his position is a special and unusual one but for the time being nothing has happened since the start of pre-season. ...

Nobody knows [if he will be in the squad]. I do not make decisions based on the transfer market. He did not play as a starter in Tbilisi because he withdrew from training a few days before, his position is an unusual and difficult one. His situation is a contradiction because he wants to stay but he always wants more minutes.

I’ll continue to use the players I deem best to face each particular game. I’m looking forward to the end of the transfer window for everything to be decided.

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Latest reports suggest that Manchester City have joined Manchester United in the chase for the Spain international, per Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail. As noted by Wheeler, the winger has a release clause in his contract of £22 million, and Barcelona are reluctant to sell the La Masia graduate for a sum that undermines that amount.

Enrique also insisted that Pedro remains a unanimously popular figure at the Camp Nou.

“I’ve already explained this issue in the past,” said the manager when quizzed on whether Pedro is upset, per Gimenez’s article. “I won’t go into more controversy. He is a player loved by everyone and you can interpret things however you want to.”

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Football journalist Rafael Hernandez thinks that Pedro is a better fit for the Red Devils than their city rivals: “Manchester City should focus on De Bruyne in my opinion, Pedro is necessary for what Louis van Gaal devises.”

United certainly need to bolster their options in the attacking facets of the squad. Angel Di Maria’s sale has left manager Louis van Gaal with a scarcity of quality offensive options, and Pedro is a player who would add something refreshing to their offensive forays.

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Bleacher Report’s Andy Brassell took a look at where he might fit in should a move to Old Trafford materialise:

The delay in any potential deal does seem a little peculiar. After all, the terms likely to be behind any transfer are clear—Pedro is keen on getting minutes elsewhere and he would be a perfect fit for the Old Trafford club. If United stump up the money, the player should be theirs.

Perhaps the Red Devils are pursuing other targets; maybe, with Neymar missing with fitness problems, Enrique is encouraging Pedro to stick around a little longer? But for the benefit of the player, it’s important a move does go through if he is to get back to those levels that once made him one of the most feared forwards anywhere in European football.