18 Feb 2015

Yes Please: Liverpool keen to sign 'incredible' £25m Barcelona attacker with £80m release clause

Over the last couple of years, Liverpool have been constantly linked with a move for Barcelona star Pedro,and with new reports this week suggest that the Reds - along with Arsenal and Manchester United - are still monitoring the Spaniard, who is reportedly ready to quit Barcelona next summer.

In October, Barcelona reportedly informed Liverpool that they're happy to sell Pedro for £25m, and according to new reports today:

* Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are all 'keeping tabs' on Pedro.

* The 27-year old attacker - who has an £80m release clause in his contract - is frustrated at his lack of first-team chances.

When asked this week about his future, Pedro - known as 'the silent superstar' by Barca fans (on account of his humble demeanour) - told reporters:

“"The truth is that it's complicated for those of us who play less, but when I go out [to play], I always give it all, the best of me. It's my way of being; I never give up"

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:

2014-15: 10 goals/5 assists in 32 apps.
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: 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:

* Consistent experience at the highest levels of the game, including copious European/international experience.

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

* A winner, who'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.

This rumour seems like it's been around forever, yet Pedro is still at Barcelona, and if he decides to leave in the summer, I can't see him ending up at Liverpool, especially if the club fails to qualify for the Champions League.

With Steven Gerrard leaving, there will also be a distinct lack of world-renowned players at Anfield, and that may make it harder than it is already to attract Europe's elite.



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