Barcelona are currently under tremendous pressure to tie down one of their brightest young prospects, Pedri, who is widely held to be one of the club’s finest young talents since Lionel Messi. The hot star faces an uncertain future with less than a year left to run on his contract in Catalonia and it is no surprise that Premier League heavyweights Liverpool and Manchester City are both reportedly monitoring his situation, which is as yet unresolved.
Pedri played over 60 games for club and country last season in what was a scintillating breakthrough year for the teenager who had moved to Camp Nou from Las Palmas last summer in a fairly lowkey deal and the midfielder lost no time in establishing himself as one of Ronald Koeman’s key men.
Then carrying on from his great club form, he was one of Euro 2020’s standout performers, earning the Young Player of the Tournament award for his applause-worthy exploits with Spain.
His importance to Barca is only set to increase, with Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann both having departed the club in the summer transfer window.
Although his contract at the Catalan side has an option to extend for one further year, it is yet to be extended, while Liverpool and City remain on high alert with the Reds having the upper hand at first glance, given that Pep Guardiola has shown a reluctance to hurt his former side while in charge at the Etihad.
The City boss reportedly instructed Txiki Begiristain to steer clear of the deal to avoid distupting Barca when the young midfielder was offered their way by agent Jorge Mendes.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp would have no such loyalties, and having failed to replace Gini Wijnaldum, there could be a cozy spot ready and waiting for him in 2022.