Manchester United are preparing to scupper Chelsea’s move for Barcelona winger Pedro, by triggering his release clause, according to the Guardian.
The Guardian report that the 27-year-old signed a new contract at the Nou Camp only last month, but one of the terms of the new deal seemed to allow for a potential exit to be made much easier, as his buyout clause means that any interested party only have to pay £22m, rather than the £109m stipulated in his previous deal.
Chelsea were keen on the Spaniard, but the Guardian suggest that he would prefer a move to Old Trafford. Louis van Gaal may want to get a deal done as soon as possible with the new Premier League season looming.
However, it may not be as simple as a battle between van Gaal and Jose Mourinho for the attacker’s signature. The Daily Express previously reported that Liverpool were closing in on a move, while Arsenal have also been keen.
The Guardian still suggest that the Red Devils are the likely winners of the race, and while the midfield area is heavily congested – given the signings of Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Memphis Depay – van Gaal’s attacking options are looking incredibly thin, following the departures of Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie.
Their need for additions would certainly suggest that Pedro will not have to endure the lack of game-time that is luring him away from the Catalan giants (via Guardian).
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