Manchester City have reportedly asked for Barcelona prodigy Pedri as part of a deal that would see Raheem Sterling move to Camp Nou.
According to a report from El Nacional, Barcelona have been told to offer midfield sensation Pedri if they wish to sign Raheem Sterling from Manchester City in the January transfer window.
It is no secret at this point that the Catalans are in the market for a new winger, owing to the fitness problems that the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati are going through. Furthermore, Dembele’s uncertain future is a concern for Barcelona as his contract runs out at the end of the season.
Sterling has been heavily linked with a move to Camp Nou for quite some time now. In fact, latest reports indicate that Barcelona’s sporting director, Mateu Alemany, is believed to be in Manchester to try and work out a deal with the Premier League champions for the 26-year-old England international who has seen his importance in the side wane over the past few months.
Barcelona’s financial situation makes it complicated for them to sign Sterling permanently, especially with Manchester City demanding a transfer fee of over €75 million. However, the Catalans have now been presented with an alternative option wherein they can get their man from the Premier League giants.
As per the report, Manchester City have informed Barcelona that they would let Sterling leave if they were to offer midfield prodigy Pedri in exchange. The 19-year-old signed for the Catalans from boyhood club Las Palmas in 2019 and spent the next campaign on loan with them before arriving at Camp Nou last year.
Having gotten his breakthrough under Ronald Koeman, the youngster soon became an integral member of the Barcelona senior team and featured in over 50 matches in his debut season. Along the way, he also established himself as a regular for the Spanish national team and shone brightly at the UEFA Euro 2020.
Pedri has had a difficult season this time out, though, with injuries hampering his progress. However, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is said to be a huge admirer of the teenager and wants to add him to his roster at the Etihad. With Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan in their thirties, it would make sense for the Cityzens to start looking at players to build for the future, making the Barcelona prodigy a viable target.
But considering how highly Pedri is valued at Barcelona, they would be unlikely to entertain such a deal from the Premier League giants. It remains to be seen if the two clubs can work out an arrangement for Sterling in the coming weeks.
