English side,  Manchester United have reached an agreement with European Champions, FC Barcelona over the signing of Pedro Rodriguez. The two sides have settled on a transfer fee of £18.1million (€26m) initially, with a potential further £4.2m (€6m) to be paid in variable bonuses.

Barcelona are, however, keen to retain the player until after next week’s Uefa Super Cup tie with Europa League winners Sevilla in the traditional season curtain-raiser in Tbilisi on Tuesday.

The Spain international signed a new four-year deal in June, with the club announcing publicly that his €150m release clause remained in effect. However, a gentlemen’s agreement was made allowing the player to leave for a lower fee should the buying club suit both parties.

While Pedro has yet to agree personal terms with United, he is keen on a switch which would allow him greater playing time than he has experienced since Luis Suarez’s arrival at the Camp Nou last summer. United boss Louis van Gaal admitted recently that the 28-year-old is just the type of player his team has been lacking.