Liverpool and Manchester City are reportedly interested in signing Barcelona prodigy Pedri who has enjoyed a rapid rise to stardom over the past year.
According to a report from Eduardo Inda on El Chiringuito TV, Barcelona midfield starlet Pedri has emerged as a transfer target for Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester City.
A product of the Las Palmas youth setup, Pedri signed for Barcelona in the summer of 2019 before being loaned back to his boyhood club for another year. The Spaniard made his debut for the Catalans upon returning last year, aged just 17, and has since gone on to become one of the best young midfielders on display in Europe.
Pedri enjoyed a brilliant debut season for Barcelona, going on to feature in over 50 matches across all competitions, while his performances deservedly earned him a call-up to the Spain national team as well. In fact, the 18-year-old was one of La Roja’s best performers at the summer’s UEFA Euro 2020 before he went on to represent them at the Tokyo Olympic Games as well.
Such noteworthy has been his rise that Pedri is already starting to attract interest from other top clubs across Europe, with Liverpool and Manchester City seemingly keen on the Barcelona prodigy as per the aforementioned report.
Liverpool had been linked with a move for Pedri in the summer transfer window as well but a move never materialised. However, the Reds seem to be continuing keeping tabs on the Spanish international and are seemingly interested in securing his services next year. The 18-year-old would boost the depth and quality of the midfield unit at Liverpool that was depleted by the departure of Georginio Wijnaldum.
Furthermore, with Thiago Alcantara failing to make the kind of impact that was expected of him and the likes of Jordan Henderson and James Milner not getting any younger, signing the 18-year-old would sort Liverpool’s midfield for a long time to come.
However, they are likely to face competition from arch-rivals Manchester City for the signing of the teenage prodigy. While the Premier League champions have one of the most complete squads at their disposal, Bernardo Silva made it clear this past summer that he wants out while Kevin De Bruyne’s fitness issues are starting to become a matter of slight concern.
Furthermore, with Ilkay Gundogan into his thirties and Pep Guardiola seemingly deciding on using Phil Foden on the flanks, another central midfielder of Pedri’s abilities would be a valuable acquisition for the Cityzens.
Pedri’s contract with Barcelona runs till the next summer although the club have the option of extending it by another couple of years, which they are very much expected to do, before handing him improved terms. So, swooping him away from Camp Nou will be anything but easy and it remains to be seen if Liverpool or Manchester City act on their interest in the 18-year-old.