Liverpool ‘preparing record-breaking transfer bid’ for Barcelona star Pedri

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Liverpool have been linked with a transfer bid for Pedri next summer. The Spain and Barcelona star has enjoyed a stellar 12 months, and Anfield chiefs are reportedly interested in trying to tempt him to the Premier League.

Pedri enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season, becoming a mainstay of the Barcelona midfield, making 52 appearances in all competitions in his first season at the club.

And the 18-year-old followed up his remarkable club showing by excelling for Spain at Euro 2020, and again just weeks later at the Tokyo Olympic Games, bringing home a silver medal.

Pedri’s remarkable performances haven’t gone unnoticed across Europe.

And some of the Premier League’s biggest sides, including Liverpool and Manchester City, have been linked with a move for him in 2022.

The English clubs are hopeful that Barcelona’s financial difficulties could persuade them to accept a bid in the region of €100million for their young star.

Pedri’s current Barcelona contract is up next summer, although it can be extended by the club through to 2024. And the midfielder has a release clause believed to be as high as €400m.

But that hasn’t stopped Liverpool coveting the youngster, with Jurgen Klopp keen to bring in central midfield superstar to replace the departed Gigi Wijnaldum and ageing Jordan Henderson.

“Liverpool and City want the most spectacular promise of Spain and European football: Pedri,” transfer journalist Eduardo Inda of OK Diario told El Chiringuito.

“His contract expires at the end of June, although Barcelona have an automatic renewal clause.”

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Pedri played a mammoth 68 games for club and country across his debut season, and was immediately reintroduced to the Barcelona squad upon his return from Tokyo.

And the teenager has quickly become one of the most highly-rated talents in Europe, attracting attention from clubs, players and pundits alike.

“Pedri is an astounding player,” Spanish football expert Graham Hunter told UEFA.

“It should be implausible for anybody so young, so inexperienced and so physically slight to possess such supernatural game intelligence, peripheral vision and first touch, not to mention the innate bravery to want the ball all the time.

“This is a generational talent, not only bound for super-stardom but someone who’ll make anyone who loves football swoon and sigh with pleasure for years to come.” 

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Liverpool’s relative lack of transfer activity in the summer has been criticised by fans, after centre-back Ibrahima Konate was the only significant arrival.

But reports of interest in a long-term midfield solution such as Pedri will be encouraging to Liverpool fans.

Klopp’s side return to action after the international break with a game against Leeds United away on Sunday.
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