Arsenal Steal March On Liverpool After Opening Talks With Attacker

With the summer transfer window finally open for business, managers are working hard trying to strengthen their squads ahead of next season so we’ll bring you all the news and gossip. Today, Arsenal have opened talks for Barcelona’s Pedro…

Arsenal have stolen a march on Liverpool after opening talks with the representatives of Barcelona attacker Pedro Rodriguez about a potential move to North London this summer, according to a report in the Telegraph.

Pedro has been on Barcelona’s books his entire professional career having joined the club when he was just 17-years-old and he was expected to go on to become a key player after breaking into the first team set-up in 2008.

But the 27-year-old has failed to hold down a regular starting spot in recent seasons and is now largely used as a squad player with the likes of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi all keeping him out the starting eleven.

The Spanish international was restricted to making just nine La Liga starts following Suarez’s return from his biting ban in late October last year and the attacker is understandably frustrated at the lack of regular action – particularly with the European Championships coming up next summer.

Pedro had entered the final year of his contract and surprisingly signed an extension last month, but the Telegraph suggest he only did so in order to put the Catalans in a stronger negotiating position for his sale and it appears a move to the Premier League could be on the cards.

The newspaper claims that both Arsenal and Liverpool are showing an interest but the Gunners look like they’ve stolen a march on their rivals after supposedly opening formal talks with the players agents over a potential move.

The report doesn’t indicate how much and proposed transfer could cost but Pedro would be an excellent signing if Arsenal, or indeed Liverpool, could pull it off as he has vast experience at the highest level and is now in the peak years of his career.

The Spaniard usually plays from the right wing but is capable of playing anywhere in attack, including up front, so he’d give Arsene Wenger or Brendan Rodgers plenty of options in the final third.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Liverpool transfer news

I think Arsenal are arguably just a top class forward away from being genuine title challengers next year while Liverpool need to further strengthen their attack if they want to be contenders for the top four, and Pedro would be a superb addition for either club.

However, any potential deal is still a long way off and we’ll have to wait and see whether Wenger or Rodgers is able to lure the attacker to England this summer. Unfortunately, my gut feeling is he’ll end up staying at the Nou Camp for at least another season.