Boost for Gunners in pursuit of Barca winger.
Barcelona have set a £29m asking price for Spanish winger Pedro Rodriguez this summer as contract talks with the player appear to have stalled, CaughtOffside understands.
The 26-year-old, who has been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United in recent months, could be the next high-profile departure from the Nou Camp as new manager Luis Enrique embarks on a mass cull of a squad that struggled to hit top form in 2013/14.
With Cesc Fabregas already making a £30m move to Chelsea last week, Pedro looks to be another top class player available at a knockdown price in this transfer window, with Barcelona keen to revamp their squad after finishing this season trophyless.
It is widely accepted that the club’s golden generation that dominated La Liga and Europe under Pep Guardiola between 2008 and 2011 is past its best now, and despite Pedro himself recording good numbers with 19 goals and eight assists this term, he could be allowed a move elsewhere.
Alexis Sanchez is another player in that position who looks close to moving, with Juventus looking the favourites to win the race for his signature, while Fiorentina star Juan Cuadrado is one big name that Barca could look to bring in as a replacement in that area.
Although Sanchez had also been linked with Premier League clubs, Pedro may now be a priority signing for Arsenal and others as this asking price will be seen as something of a bargain, with other less proven players moving for similar fees.
Arsenal have previously been quoted a massive £40m for Schalke youngster Julian Draxler, while Liverpool have also been told to pay around £30m for Southampton winger Adam Lallana, while Pedro has a superior record to both in terms of goals and assists as well as overall experience, with the player having won almost every major honour available to him in his career so far with Barcelona and Spain.
Liverpool are currently believed to be working on a deal to sign Xherdan Shaqiri from Bayern Munich, but Arsenal and United will likely step up their interest in Pedro in the near future.
It had been reported that the Spaniard had opened talks with Barca over a new contract, but it seems increasingly clear that the prolific wide-man is favouring a move away from the club as he wants to ensure he is playing regularly, something that would be far more likely at any one of the three interested parties from England.