Man City have joined Manchester United in pursuit of Barcelona attacker Pedro, according to El Mundo Deportivo.
The 28-year-old Nou Camp star has found his first-team chances restricted in Catalonia following the arrival of Luis Suarez last summer, and has been strongly linked with a summer exit.
Many reports suggest that United are within touching distance of signing the experienced Spanish international (via La Gazzetta dello Sport), but now El Mundo Deportivo suggest that Man City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain has taken a keen interest in the Tenerife-born forward.
El Mundo Deportivo state that Pedro has a €30m release clause, and that any potential Barcelona sale may be delayed due to the fact that Brazilian striker Neymar is suffering with the mumps.
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Pedro is an experienced campaigner who has the versatility to play either out on the flank or in a central striking berth, although one has to wonder quite where he’d fit into Manuel Pellegrini’s starting eleven.
The Chilean has an embarrassment of riches in the final third, his Man City side scored more goals than any Premier League side in 2014/15, with the Etihad Stadium boss able to call upon top-class players in all areas of his attack.
Pellegrini can field Sergio Aguero or Wilfried Bony as his central striker but can also use new signing Raheem Sterling in the role if needed, as well as in his more usual spot on the wing.
Man City have Jesus Navas, Samir Nasri and David Silva in wide roles, and as such, Pedro could find himself switching one bench for another.
Pellegrini’s side started their Premier League campaign with a comfortable 3-0 away win at West Brom on Monday night.