Barcelona opens up on selling worldclass midfielder to Arsenal for less than €60 million just to avoid financial crisis this year
Last year, Arsenal showed ambition in the midfield market. They targeted players like Moises Caicedo and secured Declan Rice for £105 million. However, Kai Havertz’s performance has not lived up to expectations, prompting Arsenal to consider further options in midfield. The club have added names like Joao Palhinha, Martin Zubimendi and Barcelona’s Pedri to their list of targets.
Despite the criticism, Arsenal remain a serious contender for the Premier League title. The defeats they have suffered in the last two seasons have not yet put them out of contention, which is a testament to their progress. They are looking to strengthen their squad when the transfer window opens in January. A striker and midfield reinforcements are at the top of their wish list.
ARSENAL’S INTEREST IN PEDRI
Spanish reports claim that Arsenal, Manchester City and Bayern Munich are interested in signing Pedri from Barcelona. Pedri’s past injuries have cast doubt over his future at the La Liga club. Pedri is currently valued at £87 million, but Barcelona could demand a higher price for the young talent.
Pedri’s rapid rise at Barcelona has been remarkable. Since 2020, the 21-year-old midfielder has played more than 120 games, showing his talent and potential at a young age. Pedri is characterized by his calmness, elegance and technical ability combined with his playing skills. Cesc Fabregas, a former Arsenal player, has compared him to Xavi and Iniesta, underlining the high expectations for Pedri’s career.
If Arsenal sign Pedri, he is likely to play in the left 8-man position, complementing Declan Rice’s style. Although Pedri will not replace Granit Xhaka in goal scoring, his passing and creativity would be a perfect match for Rice’s dynamic approach.
The potential combination of Pedri and Declan Rice could offer Arsenal a balanced and dynamic midfield. Furthermore, Pedri’s creative play fits well with Rice’s defensive skills and accurate passing.
The statistics per 90 minutes in the 2023/24 season underline their complementary strengths. Rice surpasses Pedri in terms of ball possession and interceptions, but Pedri excels in key passes and shot-making actions.
Pedri’s passing game and scoring chances would allow Arsenal to disarm a tight defense. Moreover, this skill is invaluable against teams that use low defensive blocks.
