Transfer News: Neymar delays Pedro's move to Manchester United

Barcelona admitted Pedro’s move to Manchester United is almost done, but the transfer of the Spanish forward has been temporarily blocked by the club due to Neymar’s current condition. Barca will be without Neymar for two weeks after the club announced on Sunday that the Brazilian footballer was diagnosed with mumps.

According to Spanish newspaper Sport, United will have to wait for Neymar to return before they can get their hands on Pedro. With Neymar’s absence in the UEFA Super Cup, Barca is forced to delay Pedro’s transfer to Old Trafford and play him in the Super Cup tie against Sevilla on Aug. 12, reports Independent.

The negotiations between Barcelona and United took place at Old Trafford on Saturday, before Neymar was diagnosed. Despite the imminent setback, the Red Devils remain firm in completing a deal to land Pedro, who has a release clause of €30 million (AU$44.9 million), with United boss Louis Van Gaal keen to have the Spanish international registered before the club’s game against Aston Villa on Friday.

Reports from Goal says that Pedro had expressed his willingness to work at Barcelona’s pace after the club asked for the initial delay. However an additional one-week interval would rule Pedro out of United’s further two games, which includes the home leg of the Brugge tie. Meanwhile, United’s attempt to sign Uruguay international goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was rejected by Turkish football club Galatasaray, reports Express.

With De Gea, who was dropped for United’s Premier League opener last Saturday, keen on joining Real Madrid, United are understood to seek a replacement should the Spanish stopper bolts out to Bernabeu. Reports from Turkish media outlet NTV Spor says that the Red Devils recently made an enquiry for Muslera, but were immediately turned down by Gala officials. According to Turkish newspaper Fanatik, Gala is keen to retain Muslera, a fan favourite in Istanbul, after the departure of Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo.

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