Liverpool are certainly wasting no time in spending the money from the sale of Raheem Sterling and are set to activate the release clause in Barcelona winger Pedro‘s contract.
The Reds are on the transfer market as they seek a replacement for Sterling, who completed his move to Premier League rivals Manchester City earlier in the week in a deal worth a reported £49million [via BBC Sport], and according to reports in Spain [via Metro Sport] they look set to battle Chelsea for the signing of Pedro from the Liga BBVA champions.
The 27-year-old’s future at the Camp Nou is uncertain following the arrival of Arda Turan [via BBC Sport], which will mean even more competition for a place in Luis Enrique’s starting XI in the upcoming season.
Last season, Pedro had to make way for Luis Suarez in Barca’s star-studded forward line that also includes Lionel Messi and Neymar, which resulted in a host of substitute appearances for the Spaniard. Despite his lack of starts he was still able to weigh in six goals and assists including a vital strike against Real Sociedad which inched Barca closer to the title.
He is still regarded as a important part of the squad by manager Enrique, but that has not stopped links with a move to England and a reunion with former club teammate Cesc Fabregas [via Metro Sport].
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However, the Merseyside outfit have now emerged as potential suitors for Pedro and are prepared to take advantage of Chelsea’s refusal to match his £20.9 million release-clause.
The news comes hot on the heels of reports that the Reds have triggered Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke’s £32.5 million buy-out clause [via Liverpool Echo] as they close in on the signing of the player who scored against the club in the FA Cup semi-final back in April, which denied former captain Steven Gerrard a chance to finish his career in England with a trophy.