Having won the Barcelona presidential elections, club chief Josep Maria Bartomeu has commented on the future of forward Pedro.
According to Le 10 Sport, Bartomeu has indicated that the attacker is unlikely to be sold over the coming weeks—news that will not be received well by Liverpool and Manchester United.
Both clubs, as well as Premier League champions Chelsea [Express], have been linked with a move for the World Cup winner although, as yet, no bids have been forthcoming.
The Guardian reported that United were poised to trigger the forward’s £22 million release clause to bring him to Old Trafford, even though the Spaniard only recently signed a new contract at the Nou Camp.
Pedro has enjoyed enormous success at the Bernabeu, winning five Liga BBVA titles, three Spanish Cups, four Spanish Super Cups, three Champions League titles, two Super Cups and two Club World Cups.
With La Roja, Pedro has also lifted the 2010 World Cup and the European Championships in 2012.
Bartomeu is under no illusion as to the value Pedro brings, and has insisted that the club are not looking to lose the Spanish frontman.
“Nobody wants Pedro to go,” he began, as reported by Le 10 Sport.
“He’s a player who counts in the eyes of Luis Enrique,” he continued, “he was an important component of the first treble, and of the second treble.
“He renewed his contract recently and many technicians want him.”
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Despite Bartomeu’s claims, Pedro may feel that he has a better chance of securing first-team football elsewhere. The 27-year-old managed only 15 league starts last season, and while he featured a further 20 times from the bench in La Liga, he managed only six goals and six assists.
Paris Saint-Germain may yet provide competition for the player should the Premier League trio move for his signature.