FC Barcelona will need to pay UD Las Palmas around $5.5 million (€5 million) more for star player Pedri, as highlighted by AS.
On the watch of former president Josep Bartomeu in 2019, the Catalans agreed to pay Las Palmas an initial $5.5 million for Pedri’s services with that amount capable of increasing because of a number of variables.
Pedri joined the Blaugrana the following year, with financial difficulties and a lack of new signings under Ronald Koeman prompting the Dutchman to promote the midfielder to the first team when he impressed in training.
The now 21-year-old has been in the starting line up ever since and is regarded as being one of the world’s best players in his position.
Because of his regularity in Xavi Hernandez’s side, and other boxes that have been ticked, Barca have already shelled out much more money to Las Palmas for their number 8.
As indicated by AS, another $5.5 million will be coming the Canary Islands outfit’s way after Pedri played a full 90 minutes against Porto in Tuesday’s 2-1 Champions League win.
The development meant that Pedri has played 45 minutes or more for Barca in 100 games, in a landmark that should have been reached last season had he not been sidelined with an injury picked up against Manchester United in the Europa League.
The same logic applies to the beginning of this season, with Pedri only featuring in one La Liga game – an August 2-0 win over Cadiz where he scored a late opener – before pulling up injured in training.
Pedri returned to the fold on November 4 when afforded a 34-minute cameo at Real Sociedad. He picked up more minutes in a 1-0 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk as well, before starting his first game since the summer in a 2-1 home victory over Alaves.
With Gavi out for six to eight months thanks to an ACL tear, dependency on Pedri will only increase until the end of the season.
Though there seem to be some chemistry issues between the Spain international, Ilkay Gundogan and Frenkie de Jong, he is essential to Xavi’s sporting project and considered one of the most important players at the club for years to come.
AS calculates that the triggering of a number of variables has resulted in Barca paying $19.6 million to $27.3 million for him thus far – a sum which can still be considered a bargain considering the premiums nearing or exceeding $100 million that bitter rivals Real Madrid have parted with for Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham.
