Manchester United have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of Barcelona winger Pedro, as reports in Spain claim the Liga BBVA giants have identified a potential replacement.
According to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo [via Metro Sport], Barca manager Luis Enrique is keen on a reunion with Celta Vigo winger Nolito, having previously worked with him during his time at the Estadio Municipal de Balaidos stadium.
The 28-year-old was in sensational form for Celta last season as he scored and registered 13 goals and assists in 36 La Liga appearances to help the club achieve a respectable eighth-placed finish in the league.
His form over the course of the 2014-15 campaign had seen him linked with a move to Barclays Premier League outfit Everton [via talkSPORT] but it appears he could be heading back to the Camp Nou after leaving for Portuguese giants Benfica in 2011.
News of Nolito’s potential move to the reigning La Liga, Copa Del Rey and Champions League winners is likely to please United manager Louis van Gaal, who has been heavily linked with making Pedro his sixth signing of the summer transfer window.
Reports in Telegraph Sport on Monday claimed the Red Devils had triggered the Spaniard’s £22 million release clause and were set to conclude a deal for the 28-year-old after the UEFA Super Cup final between Barca and Sevilla on August 11.
There has been no confirmation from either club that a deal is in place to take Pedro to Old Trafford, but it’s clear that United are in the market for a new forward after the departure of Robin van Persie to Fenerbahce and the expiration of Radamel Falcao’s loan deal.
Pedro’s future with the Catalan giants has been a hot topic in the media since the end of last season as he failed to dislodge the brilliant attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.
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