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FC Barcelona transfer rumour update – Rodri and Alfonso Pedraza

By Chiranjib Ghosh

VILLARREAL, SPAIN - DECEMBER 10: Lionel Andres Messi (R) of FC Barcelona competes for the ball with Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante, Rodri, of Villarreal CF during the La Liga 2017-18 match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio de la Ceramica on 10 December 2017 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Power Sport Images/Getty Images)
VILLARREAL, SPAIN - DECEMBER 10: Lionel Andres Messi (R) of FC Barcelona competes for the ball with Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante, Rodri, of Villarreal CF during the La Liga 2017-18 match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio de la Ceramica on 10 December 2017 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Power Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona scout on-loan Alavés wing-back Alfonso Pedraza

VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 17: Alfonso Pedraza of Deportivo Alaves reacts during the La Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and Villarreal CF at Mendizorroza stadium on September 17, 2017 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 17: Alfonso Pedraza of Deportivo Alaves reacts during the La Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and Villarreal CF at Mendizorroza stadium on September 17, 2017 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /

Ever since Alfonso Pedraza returned to Spain after a loan spell in England with Leeds United, he has been a consistent performer. When Pedraza returned, he was sent on another loan by Villarreal to Alavés where he has reinvented himself as a wing-back.

Under new manager Abelardo, Alavés haven’t been able to rejuvenate their season but Pedraza has been one of the bright spots in an underperforming team. He has shown high work rate, with high attacking and defensive contribution.

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He also finds regular key passes and likes to dribble his way going forward, instead of passing the ball. Hence, Pedraza has a long way to go before he can become a reliable player. But at 21, he is an exciting prospect.

Barcelona have been scouting him him since the start of the season. But correctly, the management has decided not to contact his representatives yet. Newcastle are also interested in him, and may submit an offer in January.

But it will not be a huge loss for the club if he does go to Newcastle. He also has a release clause of €20 million, which is steep considering his inexperience.

Barcelona track Villarreal youngster Rodri

Rodri has been a revelation for Villarreal this season. At the start of the season, he was awarded a spot in the first-team to replace the departing Jonathan Dos Santos. And he has done it with style.

Whether he has had to play as a conventional playmaker or a defensive midfielder, Rodri has excelled. As a defensive midfielder, he has shown that he isn’t afraid to get stuck in and obtain possession for his side. And as a playmaker, he has shown that he has brilliant vision.

He is the complete package, and has local flavour too. Barcelona are scouting him too. Earlier this season, he signed a contract which increased his release clause from €12 million to €20 million. It is a reasonable figure for a player of his potential.

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He is a potential successor to Sergio Busquets in the defensive midfielder role. The management should look into Rodri, as he is an interesting prospect.

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