Report: FC Barcelona could sell their €80 million-rated ‘Iniesta heir’
Joan Laporta and Xavi will have some difficult decisions to make come June as they look to re-organise and filter the current squad.
If the board hope to bring in the targets they deem to be necessary, big exits are required and it is clear at this point that very few players in the dressing room are safe.
Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, Ronald Araujo and Raphinha are just some of the players who were initially considered untransferable but have now lost that tag.
Radio MARCA now reveals that Pedri is also close to sailing the same boat. The reports come surprising as the 21-year-old has been considered to fill in the void that have been there since Iniesta’s departure.
State of stagnation
As relayed by the Spanish outlet, Barcelona can sell Pedri, the team’s young and highly valued midfielder, come June.
The news undoubtedly comes out of the blue and is a major shock for fans across the globe.
The report adds that the coaching staff feel that the youngster is not developing at the rate they expected him to and that his stagnation is the primary reason behind the sudden decision.
Moreover, the Canary Islander has been highly injury-prone in recent seasons. This season alone, he has missed 128 games over three injury spells and is still far from his best shape physically.
Given his age, skill, and market value, it will not be difficult for Barcelona to find suitors for the young star.
However, one cannot help but wonder if the move is hasty given the potential the player has shown.
Renewal going slow
Pedri’s current contract with the club runs out in 2026, and both parties have been in talks over an extension for a long time now.
Despite negotiations beginning back towards the end of last season, however, the progress has been very slow and it was reported earlier this week that the delay was only because both parties were clear of the outcome and in no rush.
With news of the player’s potential sale coming out, one is forced to wonder if the negotiations have deliberately slowed down from Barcelona’s end.
