Pedro could play two games before Man United move
The Joan Gamper trophy could be a more emotional affair than usual, this season. Pedro is very close to leaving Barça and the friendly match which signals the start of the official season could be an opportunity for goodbyes from the Tenerife-born forward. Negotiations are continuing between Barcelona and Manchester United. Pedro will say goodbye to Barça after 11 seasons at the Blaugrana, spending eight of them with the first team. Pedro will give his farewells at home and in front of his supporters at Camp Nou, who will see him continue to fight for the club colours.
The forward has been a fundamental part of one of the most prolific periods of Barça's history in terms of titles. Pedro has won 19 trophies: three Champions Leagues, five La Ligas, two Club World Cups, three Copa del Reys, two European Super Cups and four Spanish Super Cups. He has also won the third division while with Barça B, three Copa Catalunyas and the greatest honours with the Spanish national team: the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the 2012 European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.
He will attempt to start a new stage in his career at Old Trafford. The agreement between Barça and Manchester United for the transfer of Pedro is merely days away. Red Devils' director Ed Woodward will arrive in Barcelona during the coming week and if he opts to take a plane it isn't for his holidays. Woodward was the man who advised the Glazer family to purchase ownership of Manchester United back in 2005. When the former general director decided to retire in 2013, the North American investors decided to offer him the job.
Woodward has helped to secure one of the huge sponsorships that Manchester United have sealed recently, Chevrolet, which will bring in 71 million per year as a shirt sponsor, and Adidas, who will give no less than one thousand million over the next 10 seasons. Due to this, Woodward has the confidence of the Glazers and when he gets involved it is to close a deal.
The negotiations have continued progressing in recent days and Manchester United have offered a proposal of close to 30 million euros, which is required to prise one of Barça's most valuable players away from them. Currently, there could be a fixed fee of between 26-28 million euros, plus four to six million in add-ons. In total, it will make up the 30 million required to press ahead with the deal. The discussions are now centred on further conditions. Barça want them to be based on individual targets for games and minutes played, which will be easier to secure, while Man United want them to be related to title wins.
Pedro remains in contact with both clubs. The player has already reached an agreement with the Red Devils that is better than his recently renewed Barça contract. The club extended his deal for four seasons, in order to command a larger fee. Man United have surpassed this contract in both duration and financially. If the negotiations keep going well, Pedro will play at Old Trafford for the next five seasons and will earn five million euros net per year. The player is only waiting for Barça and Man United to make an agreement official, in order to catch a plane to England.
The transfer will satisfy all parties. Barça will take in some important money that they need, while Pedro will gain the squad importance that he has lost at Camp Nou during the last two seasons. The Tenerife-born forward has been asked for personally by Louis Van Gaal and due to this should have a starting berth. Is everyone happy? No. Away from the Blaugrana fans wanting for Pedro to retire at Camp Nou, Luis Enrique believes that his departure will weaken his squad, who can't enter the market to find someone of the same quality.
Lucho has done everything in his power this summer to slow down his exit. He has tried to convince the player to stay and asked the club to block his departure. What can't be avoided, is that he will go if a club pay his release clause, which is the case with Man United. The Asturian coach wanted to rely on Pedro for the European Super Cup. Lucho is obsessed with winning all six trophies this season and Pedro approaches the game in better fitness than, say, Neymar. Luis Enrique has a lot of respect for Sevilla and knows that it will be a tough game, but Pedro could have a leading role. However, the Gamper against Roma could be Pedro's last Blaugrana game.
