Man United look to Wolves for a Rice alternative and Barcelona ward Liverpool off ‘new Iniesta’.
PEDRI’S A DISH
Liverpool are reportedly ready to take advantage of Barcelona’s piddling £70million release clause for star teenager Pedri, having ‘signalled their interest’ in the playmaker.
Letting their interest known may not have been the best method though, as the Catalans are now set to increase that release clause to eye-watering levels to ward off the Reds and other potential suitors, according to the Mirror.
It will have come as no surprise to Barca that other clubs are sniffing around their 18-year-old midfielder after an outstanding first season in La Liga.
Having moved from Las Palmas for £9million in the summer of 2019, Pedri remained with his former club on loan last season before settling in at the Nou Camp at the start of this campaign.
When Ronald Koeman arrived at Barcelona he was asked of his opinion on his new squad and picked out Pedri as one player who immediately piqued his interest.
“I don’t know him,” Koeman said. “But they say he must be the new Laudrup, the new Iniesta, but I don’t know him. We’ll see. He’s the greatest talent in all of Spain.”
And Koeman certainly has trust in the young man, with Pedri starting 33 games this season, including six of their eight Champions League games, notching three goals and six assists in the process.
While that form has led to Liverpool and other top European clubs to circle, it also appears to have increased Barcelona’s desperation to keep hold of him; they’re ready to offer Pedri a new four-year deal with a release clause of £350million – surely a prohibitive figure for any club keen to lure him away.
WOLF AT THE WOLVES DOOR
Wolves may have to sell a number of the their star players this summer and Manchester United are looking to take advantage to land a midfielder they have previously shown an interest in.
According to 90min, Wolves’ parent company Fosun are looking to restructure their commitment to the club, and while they are not pulling out altogether – like fellow Chinese firm Suning have with Inter – super agent Jorge Mendes has been instructed to find buyers and arrange potential deals for some of their top players.
Among those players thought to be put on the transfer list is Ruben Neves.
The 24-year-old, previously linked with a move to United, is one of those most likely to be allowed to up sticks as he is said to have previously hinted at his interest in a new challenge elsewhere.
The report claims Wolves value the midfielder at £30million and he will be allowed to leave the club if that valuation is met.
The Portuguese international would be a cheap alternative to Declan Rice, who has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer.
AND THE REST
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