Barcelona, Aug 18 (IANS) Catalan football giants Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique has admitted that the transfer saga involving forward Pedro Rodriguez is starting to affect the Spanish international.
English Premier League club Manchester United has been reportedly interested in signing the 28-year-old. Barcelona are asking for a buyout contract worth $32.6 million which the English outfit is not happy with.
“It’s difficult for him, very difficult,” Enrique was quoted as saying by dailymail.co.uk on Monday after Barcelona lost the Spanish Super Cup 1-5 on aggregate against Athletic Bilbao.
“He always gives everything but this is not a good situation for him. I just want transfer market to close so that I can know which players I have and which ones I don’t.”
Pedro played his part in a lively first half hour for Barcelona as they tried to overhaul Athletic’s 4-0 first leg advantage, but he also kicked fresh air when he had time and space to finish, gave the ball away in a dangerous area almost gifting the opposition a goal and picked up his third caution in three games.
Pedro is not happy at Barcelona as his spot in the starting line-up has become irregular since Uruguayan Luis Suarez’s arrival from Liverpool. Enrique prefers three South American stars — Lionel Messi, Neymar and Suarez — in his attacking line-up and the strategy has proved successful, with Barcelona winning the La Liga and the European Champions League last season.