Manchester United chief executive, Ed Woodward, has reportedly landed in Barcelona to tie up the £22m deal for the club’s winger, Pedro.
Woodward flies to Spain
Woodward flew to Catalonia on Monday to ahead of Barca’s crucial Spanish Super Cup second leg tie against Atletico Bilbao, it is hoped that the chief executive’s presence will help take significant steps to finally conclude the deal.
United have been heavily linked with a move for the Spaniard for quite some time but the deal reportedly sowed down after Premier League champions Chelsea reportedly showed an interest.
Pedro desires Barca departure
The 28-yeard-old has reiterated his desire to leave Nou Camp stating his frustration at the lack of playing time that he currently receives.
Manager Louis Van Gaal reportedly has some revelations about the pace of Pedro, but is keen to add to the Spaniard to his attacking reinforcements with Pedro flying to Manchester tomorrow to secure the move with Barca willing to let him after the conclusion of the Super Cup.
Keeping tabs on Laporte
Woodward will also take the opportunity to watch Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte, a central defender has been a high priority for Van Gaal throughout the summer.
They were dealt a big blow on Monday when long-term target, Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos committed his future to the club until 2020.
It also seems inevitable that they will lose out on another long-term target in Valencia’s Nicolas Otamendi with rivals Manchester City looked to have pipped them to the Argentine’s signature.
Laporte, whose side beat Barca 5-1 in the Spanish Supercup, is rated as one the most talented young defenders on the continent.
United have shown interest in the 20-year-old on previous occasions despite his buy-out clause of £36.5m after signing a new contract back in June.
Manchester United will look to continue their excellent start to the season when they welcome Newcastle United to Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.