Manchester United are close to agreeing a fee with Barcelona for the signature of Pedro Rodriguez, according to Madrid-based daily Marca.
The English giants started the negotiations with an informal offer of €25m, but are now close to meeting Barcelona’s valuation of €30m, which could rise to €32m with bonuses.
With a fee more or less agreed, Louis van Gaal is keen to conclude the deal to sign the Spanish forward as soon as possible as he wants to draft Pedro in as a replacement for Angel di Maria, who is on his way to Paris Saint-Germain.
Manchester United want to integrate Pedro into their squad before their Premier League opener against Tottenham on 8th August, but Barcelona are willing to wait.
While Luis Enrique has agreed to let Pedro leave the club this summer, he is keen to hold on to the player until the European Super Cup match against Sevilla on 11th August.
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The Barcelona boss is wary that Lionel Messi and Neymar won’t be fit enough to start against Sevilla in Tbilisi, therefore, he wants to keep the forward until at least the first final of their season.
It remains to be seen whether Manchester United agree to be part of such an arrangement or push to get the deal done before their season starts a week from this Saturday.
Van Gaal is reportedly keen to make Pedro a part of his first choice attacking triumvirate, which includes Wayne Rooney and Memphis Depay.
