Manchester United are of course the kings of the protracted transfer.
Even if they got most of their business done pretty sharpish this summer, you can always expect at least one transfer event to drag on all summer.
We genuinely hope, for the sake of the Manchester United fans and the team, that the Pedro deal isn’t going to be one of those.
The sense we get is that the player wants to leave Barcelona in search of more regular first team action.
At 28, he is at the peak of his powers and football fans everywhere deserve to see the lad gracing the turf instead of splintering the bench each week.
Barcelona are clearly hoping to hold on to the lad, but may begrudgingly let him go if that is what he really wants.
Barcelona boss Luis Enrique is quoted as saying today:
“He is a high standard player that has already won everything. He has proven his qualities with good performances both for the club and the (Spanish) national team,” he said.
“As his coach I want him to stay. I know him since he was in the second team. But I repeat the same thing, there is no news and only the player can give news.”
Pedro to United: Get it done
We feel that the addition of Pedro is the very least that Manchester United need if they are going to compete on all fronts this season.
With a front line which looks much less deep than last year, when United could call on RvP and Radamel Falcao, attacking reinforcements are a must.
We do feel that Manchester United will get this deal over the line.
But we also think that the club is looking to make another huge signing this summer. Whether they succeed remains to be seen in what will probably be another nail-biting end to the transfer window.
Manchester United fans: is Pedro enough for a title challenge?
