Barcelona Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Luis Enrique's Summer Plans

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has refused to comment on speculation linking his side with Barcelona's Neymar, but Blaugrana boss Luis Enrique hopes to secure a replacement for the recently departed Pedro.

A report from the Sun (via the Independent's Simon Rice) said the Red Devils are weighing up a sensational move for Barca's star Brazilian. However, when asked about the topic following Saturday's 0-0 draw against Newcastle United, Van Gaal was in no mood to provide information on the matter, per FourFourTwo:

"

I don't enter into this discussion - you can ask about all the players in the world and you are doing that every press conference and every press conference I have to say that I need to protect the interests of Manchester United.

You can say anything, you can mention every player, but I cannot answer these questions. I know your problem because the media wants to know that but I cannot say that.

"

That could be due to the Dutch tactician becoming frustrated with the incessant links that inevitably envelop Old Trafford at this time of the year, with Neymar being an almost impossible arrival to envision.

Considering Barca wouldn't be able to register a replacement until the new year, it seems beyond logic the club would sell Pedro and Neymar in one transfer window, with no desperate need for the funds.

VI-Images/Getty Images

FourFourTwo cited the Sun, reporting that United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward made a bid for Neymar while he was in Catalonia attempting to sign Pedro, who opted for a €30 million move to Stamford Bridge.

However, ESPN.com's Dermot Corrigan provided quotes from Neymar's agent Wagner Ribeiro, who clarified the situation as nothing more than hyperbole among the British media, insisting his client is happy in Spain:

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Neymar agent Wagner Ribeiro to GloboEsporte on United stories: "There's nothing. English papers big into speculation. He's happy at Barca."

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) August 22, 2015"

Neymar has scored 54 goals in 92 games since joining the Blaugrana two years ago, making a seamless transition to European football from his native Brazil.

Manchester United have already acquired Memphis Depay for attacking reinforcements this summer, but the stalemate against Newcastle on Saturday exposed their lack of clinical sharpness going forward.

That being said, Barcelona have the ability to resist the calling of any competitor, and if Ribeiro is to be believed, Neymar won't be the one pushing for an exit anytime soon.

Pedro Replacement on Enrique's Agenda

Ivan Sekretarev/Associated Press

Despite the fact Barcelona's transfer embargo prevents them from registering any new players until January 1, the club will look to bring in a replacement for Pedro this summer, Enrique said.

Football Espana provided quotes from the Barca helmsman, who claimed the club was prepared for Pedro's exit and noted they're looking to "strengthen" before the window shuts: “With Pedro, we saw it coming because he wanted [to leave]. We're working on strengthening the team because we counted on Pedro."

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Granted, the Spain international may have been little more than a back-up to the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar at the time of his departure, but more than 11 players make up a squad.

Barcastuff provided a graphic from Spanish newspaper Sport, which showed that the wings are the only area in which Enrique might be understocked:

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Infographic: Barcelona squad for 2015/2006 season #fcblive [sport] pic.twitter.com/qu738oDdBu

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) August 22, 2015"

Summer arrivals Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal are both capable of offering aid out wide, but as will be the case for any more signings, the pair cannot feature for their new club until 2016.

Pedro's exit brought an end to his 11-year association with the Camp Nou, and Sport revealed the speedster will return to the club Monday for a farewell press conference:

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Pedro will give a press conference on Monday at Barcelona's training ground to say goodbye to the Catalan club and their fans.

— SPORT English (@Sport_EN) August 22, 2015"

As things stand, the club might consider the likes of Munir El Haddadi and Sandro Rodriguez to bring cover to the wings, especially with Neymar making his recovery from a case of mumps.

FIFA's ruling may be an irritation for Barca, but one of the world's biggest football powers won't let an embargo prevent them from galvanising their ranks further this summer.