Arsenal transfer news: Gunners ready to make £24m Pedro bid as Arsene Wenger seeks further creativity

Pedro could follow his former team-mate Alexis Sanchez to the Emirates

Barcelona winger Pedro (Getty Images)

Arsenal are ready to make a move for another Barcelona winger after the successful pursuit of Alexis Sanchez last season, with the FA Cup finalists being linked with a transfer offer for Pedro.

According to the Daily Express, Arsenal are keen on reigniting their interest in the Spain international having failed in their bid last summer to land the 27-year-old. However, they did complete the £35m deal for Alexis Sanchez, and with the two clubs maintaining a positive relationship given the excessive transfer business between them in recent years, the Gunners could look to take on Pedro when the transfer window reopens in July.

It’s claimed that the 0-0 draw with Chelsea at the weekend has led manager Arsene Wenger to seek more creativity in his attack, with the Blues’ defence rarely tested despite Arsenal enjoying the bulk of possession.

However, it’s unlikely that Wenger’s decision has been swayed purely on the weekend’s result, and the interest in Pedro dates back to the end of last season when he faced an uncertain future at the Nou Camp.

Despite electing to stay with the Catalans, Pedro has seen his first-team opportunities severely limited given the partnership struck up between Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Surez, and the academy product could finally be ready to leave the club having broken into the first team in 2008.

To date, Pedro has made 310 first-team appearances for Barcelona, and is three goals shy of taking his tally to 100. He has also reached the half-century appearance landmark with the national team, having scored 16 times for Spain, but again he has been restricted to appearing predominantly from the substitutes’ bench.

Pedro has been linked with a move to Arsenal since last summer (Getty Images)

Arsenal are not alone in the race to land him though, with Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool also believed to be in the hunt, while Italian side Inter Milan are being linked with a summer move as Roberto Mancini continues his revamp of the club’s squad.