Pedro to Manchester United: Louis van Gaal hopes to tempt Barcelona forward to Old Trafford with £22m bid

Red Devils ready to meet Spaniard’s release clause in order to boost attacking options

Barcelona forward Pedro could be on his way to Old Trafford (Getty Images)

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is lining up a £22m bid for Barcelona forward Pedro as he looks to strengthen his options in attack ahead of the new Premier League season.

The Old Trafford club are short up front following the departures of Robin van Persie to Fenerbahce and Falcao, who has since joined Chelsea on loan from Monaco.

That leaves Van Gaal with just Wayne Rooney, teenager James Wilson and Javier Hernandez – who spent much of last season out on loan at Real Madrid – as central strikers. Having expressed a desire to line up in a 4-3-3 formation next season, the Dutchman has identified Pedro as the man to increase his options given his ability to play either through the middle or out wide.

The Spanish international signed a new four-year contact at the Camp Nou only last month, but it is understood that the deal saw his buyout fee decrease from £109m to £22m.

Since the arrival of Luis Suarez from Liverpool, Pedro’s appearances have been limited. He made just 15 starts in La Liga last season, and was only an extra-time substitute as Barcelona triumphed in the Champions League final against Juventus in Berlin.

Pedro would be the latest player to join United in what has been a busy summer at Old Trafford as they look to improve on last season’s fourth-placed finish. The Red Devils have already snapped up winger Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven and full-back Matteo Darmian from Torino while midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin have joined from Bayern Munich and Southampton respectively.

Barcelona winger Pedro (GETTY IMAGES)

However, there remain doubts over the futures of both David de Gea and Angel Di Maria. The United goalkeeper has just a year left on his contract and looks destined for Real Madrid, while the unsettled Argentine playmaker is being tracked by Paris Saint Germain.