Manchester United close to securing Barcelona star Pedro Rodriguez in £16m deal

Manchester United will secure the services of Barcelona star Pedro Rodriguez within the next few days for a fee of around €24m (£16m, $26.2m) plus a further €6m in add-ons, according to Spanish newspapers AS and Marca.

The Spanish international winger has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent days after the Daily Telegraph reported United were keen on meeting his release clause in order to beat both Liverpool and Chelsea for his signature.

Louis van Gaal, however, cast doubts on the deal after saying he would be signing a "surprise" striker, rather than one the press had previously linked to Manchester United.

The Dutch boss failed to clarify the situation during a press conference on 22 July, saying: "I don't know if I want to buy a striker.

"I have read in the media the striker is the surprise. No, that's not what I said. But you are saying that. No, I mean something else."

Even so, Spanish newspapers AS and Marca are now reporting that the Premier League giants are close to completing the signing of Pedro and that the deal could be finalised by the end of the week.

Even though Barcelona have demanded his full release clause to part with the player, AS claims that the deal could be closed for €24m plus a further €6 in add-ons.

Marca says that although Barcelona would like Pedro to remain at the club, he is ready to leave the side.

Luis Enrique recently said that Pedro will make the final decision over his future while suggesting the club will not block his departure should any club meet his release clause.

"I've said that if Pedro goes it will be when someone has paid his clause. If that doesn't happen, it will be difficult. I have spoken with Pedro. I told him what I think and he told me what he thinks. When the player makes a decision something will happen. The decision belongs to Pedro," the Barcelona manager was quoted as saying by Marca.

Should the reports be true Pedro will become United's fifth signing of the summer, following in the footsteps of Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger and France international Morgan Schneiderlin.