Barcelona are reportedly desperate to stave off interest in Pedri from Liverpool by offering the Spanish international a bumper new deal.
According to a report by Daily Mirror, Barcelona are taking steps to secure the long-term future of Pedri. The Spanish international is being tailed by Liverpool over a possible move in the summer transfer window, with his current deal with the Blaugrana have a £70 million release clause.
Pedri arrived at Barcelona from Las Palmas last summer after the deal between the two clubs had initially been agreed a year prior. The switch to Camp Nou has ended up working wonders for the Catalans as well as the teenage Spanish prodigy, who took no time to establish himself as a pivotal figure in Ronald Koeman’s side.
In fact, Pedri, who has 3 goals and 6 assists in 44 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona this term, has missed just one game all season, illustrating his importance for the Blaugrana despite his nascent age of 18. The youngster’s progress, though, has certainly not gone unnoticed, with Liverpool keeping a watchful eye on him over the course of the campaign.
What makes Liverpool dream of the possibility of swooping Pedri away from Barcelona is the fact that his current contract expires in a little over a year’s time, although Barcelona do reserve the option of extending it by two years. Furthermore, his £70 million release clause could be termed as within reach for the Premier League champions.
The interest from Liverpool is not unfounded either, considering Georginio Wijnaldum, who has coincidentally been linked with Barcelona themselves, is facing an uncertain future at Anfield. While recent reports have claimed that the La Liga heavyweights could be scouring the market for potential alternatives for the Dutch international, the Reds still remain in a precarious position due to the fact that his deal runs out this summer.
With that in mind, Liverpool have identified several options to replace Wijnaldum this coming summer, with Rodrigo De Paul, who is also a target for Barcelona, among those who have been scouted. In Pedri, though, Liverpool could secure their long-term future in midfield while also potentially securing the services of an upgrade over Wijnaldum.
Indeed, Pedri not only brings the tenacity that Wijnaldum offers to the table but also provides a creative boost form midfield that the Dutch international simply does not. However, Barcelona are desperate to ward off Liverpool’s interest in the 18-year-old, having offered him a bumper new deal.
The terms of this new contract would see Pedri commit the next four years to Barcelona while also having his release clause bumped from £70 million to £350 million. With the Spanish international also publicly pledging his future to Barcelona, there is little to no chance of Liverpool securing his services this summer. The status of a renewal, though, will be interesting to follow.
