Yes Please: 'Incredible' £25m Barca star puts in transfer request. 80% of fans want him. Sign?

Liverpool continue to be linked with a January move for Barcelona star Pedro, and it seems that 27-year old attacker is taking steps to force his way out of the Nou Camp, which is potentially great news for the Reds (and Arsenal, who are also interested).

Over the summer, Liverpool were constantly linked with a move for Pedro, and reports earlier this month claimed that Barcelona are willing to sell for £25m.

Well, according to reports in Spain today:

* Pedro has handed in a transfer request to Barcelona.
* He is determined to quit Barca in January.

This follows a report in September, which claimed that Pedro - who has only completed one 90 minute game so far this season - is 'keen to listen to offers' from Liverpool and Arsenal.

When asked in September about his future, the 27-year old - known as 'the silent superstar' by Barca fans (on account of his humble demeanour) - told reporters:

“It’s difficult [at Barca]. All I want to do is work hard. It’s difficult to get into the starting 11 because I’m competing with the best forwards in the world but I’m fighting for my place every day"

What would Pedro - recently described as 'incredible' by Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque - bring to the Liverpool team? In a recent interview, the forward outlined what he perceives his role to be for Barcelona. He told reporters:

"My job in the team is to free up space on the pitch for my teammates, to build moves, to turn certain episodes into goalscoring chances or to get assists for teammates in better positions. These are my responsibilities during the game. Everything I do must benefit the team."

Despite the ridiculous competition at Barca for attacking places, Pedro's stats over the last few years are very good:

2013-14: 20 goals/10 assists in 52 apps.
2012-13: 10 goals/7 assists in 48 apps.
2011-12: 13 goals/6 assists in 51 apps.
2010-11: 22 goals/8 assists in 52 apps.
2009-10: 22 goals/4 assists in 50 apps.

Liverpool fans certainly hold Pedro in high regard. Prior to the Adam Lallana signing, I asked fans who they'd rather see LFC sign this summer: Pedro or Lallana.

* 17100 visitors (approx) participated in the poll.
* A gigantic 80% of voters chose Pedro over Lallana.

That's a quite staggering vote of confidence in Pedro, but it's hardly surprising given the Spaniard's experience and pedigree. I also voted in favour of Pedro, for the following reasons:

* Pedro has consistent experience at the highest levels of the game, including copious European/international experience.

* He's played alongside some of the world's best players for years, including Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta.

* The Spaniard is a winner; he's won practically every trophy in the game, and that kind of experience could be invaluable for Liverpool. The Reds lacked experience in the final stages of last season, and that arguably contributed to losing the title.

* Pedro is the kind of player who'll come in and give the entire club a lift. He's a marquee signing with an aura about him.

After Rodgers' huge transfer spending over the summer, I can't see FSG handing over another €25m in the January transfer window, especially if the club's erratic form continues for the next two months.

From a business point of view, FSG are entitled to expect a manifest return on the £120m+ spent this year, and if Rodgers can't make it work with all the new signings he's brought in, then from a business perspective, it doesn't make financial sense to give him more money.

Then again, it all depends on where the club is in January. If Liverpool are well off the pace, and Champions League qualification is in doubt, then that's yet another reason to be cautious with transfer funds. Conversely, if the Reds are right up there challenging, another top signing may just be the positive push needed to solidify LFC's position.

If cash is made available, is buying Pedro the best use of that money?



Author: Jaimie K