FC Barcelona Midfielder Pedri Talks Potential Departure from Club

FC Barcelona star Pedri addresses rumors of leaving the club, expressing his desire to stay for many more years.

FC Barcelona sensation Pedri recently discussed the possibility of leaving the club in an interview with La Vanguardia. The young midfielder has been making waves during Barca's preseason tour of the United States, showcasing his talent with a brilliant assist for Ousmane Dembele in a 3-0 victory over Real Madrid at Cowboys Stadium.

Dembele himself is on the verge of joining Paris Saint-Germain in a surprising €50 million ($55 million) transfer, which is expected to be finalized in the coming week. However, despite PSG's previous €100 million ($110 million) bid for Pedri earlier this year, the talented youngster doesn't seem to have any intention of following Dembele's footsteps out of the Blaugrana exit door.

Pedri made it clear that he is not directly involved in the transfer negotiations, stating, "I'm not aware of the offers that come to me. They are received by my representatives. I tell them that if they want to listen they should do it, and they will tell me, but that I am focused on my thing which is to train, play and enjoy [football]. But a lot has to happen for me to leave this club. It would have to be very bad and very uncomfortable. I see it [as] very unlikely, Barca is the club of my dreams and I want to stay for many more years."

The potential sale of Dembele has once again brought former president Josep Bartomeu into the spotlight, with critics and fans questioning the exorbitant amounts spent on players like Philippe Coutinho and Antoine Griezmann, which contributed to the club's financial struggles. According to former CEO Ferran Reverter, Bartomeu's successor Joan Laporta inherited a club that was "technically bankrupt" in May 2021.

However, amidst the financial turmoil, Bartomeu deserves credit for approving the €5 million ($5.5 million) payment to secure Pedri's services from Las Palmas in 2019. This signing has proven to be a remarkable bargain, as Pedri continues to impress and develop into one of Barca's brightest talents.

Pedri's connection to the club runs deep, as he grew up as a devoted Barca fan with a father who co-founded a supporter's group in their hometown of Tegueste in Tenerife. With a contract that extends until 2026 and is likely to be extended further, the young Spanish international could potentially spend his entire career at the Catalan club, fulfilling his dreams and leaving a lasting legacy.