Manchester United Transfer News: Lucas Biglia Move Expected, Fresh Pedro Rumours

Rumours of Lucas Biglia's potential switch to Manchester United continue to surface, with Fichajes.net (h/t Metro's George Bellshaw) claiming the Lazio star has picked Old Trafford as his next home:

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Lucas Biglia is reportedly close to reaching an agreement with Manchester United to complete a transfer from Lazio.

The Argentine midfielder is set for a big money move this summer and is in talks with the Red Devils.

And Spanish media source Fichajes.net claim that the move is imminent and could occur in the coming hours.

Real Madrid were also supposedly interested in the central midfielder but it appears that the Argentine has opted for a move to Manchester.

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The future of the 29-year-old is unclear, with several clubs reportedly ready to make a move. Marca's Enrique Ortego claims Real Madrid are interested in the midfielder, although they are unwilling to meet Lazio's reported valuation of €40 million.

Meanwhile, the Italian media are convinced the Argentina international will stay in Rome, with Il Corriere dello Sport (h/t Football Italia) reporting a new contract is being prepared, contingent on the club's performance against Bayer Leverkusen in the play-off round of the UEFA Champions League.

Of the three theories, the link with the Red Devils raises the most questions. There were reports of manager Louis van Gaal's interest in the Argentinian at the start of the summer, and per Het Laatste Nieuws' Kristof Terreur, the Dutchman even called an old connection with Anderlecht, Biglia's former club, to inform about the player:

But since then, the Mancunians have invested in Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, two top players who occupy roughly the same areas of the pitch as Biglia. Before the start of the summer, the holding-midfielder position was a major weakness for the Red Devils―now it looks like a strength.

Biglia is an excellent player who has spent the bulk of his career playing in Belgium, and as a result, he has never received the credit he deserves. Since moving to Italy, he has established himself as an important part of Argentina's national team, and one of the smartest ball-winners in Serie A.

He's been handed the captain's armband for Lazio this season, and given his importance to the club, the reported asking price of €40 million sounds realistic. Such a fee would be astronomical for a veteran with limited upside, who would likely be destined to sit on the bench while Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin start.

Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror believes United haven't made an offer for Biglia, and at this stage of the transfer window, it's hard to believe they will. The Argentinian would have been a solid signing two months ago―now he would just be an expensive luxury.

Pedro to Complete Transfer on Tuesday

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

More news from Spain, where Sport (h/t Metro's George Bellshaw) report Barcelona winger Pedro will complete his move to Old Trafford on Tuesday, after the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Athletic Bilbao.

The Spain international started for the Catalans in their shock 4-0 loss in the first leg, and with Neymar set to miss out on the return leg, per Sport's Albert Roge, Pedro is expected to feature in Monday's match as well.

A product of Barcelona's vaunted youth academy, Pedro was a member of the Barcelona squad that dominated Europe under Pep Guardiola, but he has lost his starting position since the arrivals of Neymar and Luis Suarez. Last year, he started just 15 La Liga matches, scoring six goals and handing out six assists, per WhoScored.

Old Trafford has been regarded as a likely destination for the Spaniard ever since Angel Di Maria was sold to Paris Saint-Germain, and speculation regarding his future has run rampant in recent weeks. Former professional footballer Jan Aage Fjortoft has promised fans he'll check up on Sport's report on Tuesday:

In all seriousness, Pedro's move to United seems like it's only a matter of time, and it's a surprise the deal still hasn't been completed yet. There have been reports United were unwilling to pay the Catalans the transfer fee they demanded, via Sky Sports' Guillem Balague, and the move has seemingly been on hold for weeks.

Despite that, this is a move that seems to benefit all parties. Barcelona have too much young talent climbing the ranks, and by moving Pedro, it gives the youngsters more playing time and a chance to develop.

Pedro has been a loyal servant, and he deserves the chance to seek a starting position elsewhere. Meanwhile, the Red Devils need another creative force in attack, and the versatile Pedro presents the perfect target.

This is one transfer rumour that just won't go away, and for good reason. The move makes too much sense for it not to happen, and the sooner the Spaniard arrives in Manchester, the sooner we can put all of this behind us.

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