Barcelona midfielder Pedri has played down suggestions that he could join Paris Saint-Germain during this summer's transfer window.
Despite only being 20 years old, Pedri has already made 109 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 16 times and registering eight assists, having been a vital player since his arrival from Las Palmas in 2020.
The midfielder had his injury problems during the 2022-23 campaign but still managed to make 35 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals and registering one assist.
There have been claims that PSG are determined to sign Pedri this summer, with the French giants also closing in on a deal for his teammate Ousmane Dembele, but the youngster has said that it is "very unlikely" that he will leave 'the club of his dreams'.
"I'm not aware of offers for me. Many things have to happen for me to leave this club. I see it as very unlikely. Barca is the club of my dreams and I want to stay for many more years," he told La Vanguardia.
© Reuters
Pedri has another three years left to run on his contract, having signed an extension in October 2021, and he is believed to be non-transferable despite Barcelona's financial problems.
"I feel I'm an important player. But I don't think anyone in the group is indispensable, we are all there to pull together. It's the collective that makes the difference," the midfielder added.
"I think that's the best thing that could happen to us. Having competition in midfield makes us great. At the end of the day, that's where Barcelona's game is played. Having so many people is a blessing for Xavi, who is the one who has to decide.
"We have a very good relationship with each other. We know that anyone can play and that individually puts you on your toes. Competition makes us and the team better.
"Last year I had to reach ten goals and ten assists. I didn't manage it. When I came back from the holidays Xavi told me that this year I had to reach that mark."
© Reuters
Pedri is also confident that his time off this summer will help his body moving forward, having struggled with fitness problems last term due to the volume of football he had played over the last 12 months.
"I was aware that I was coming from a period in which I had a lot of injuries and I wanted to turn over a new leaf to be ready. I knew I had to stop and transform the negative energy that comes after an injury into positive vibes," he added.
"I came to the conclusion that you can't play so many games without stopping. You have to rest in order not to get injured. It's been a different summer. I prefer to be on the pitch. But I hadn't rested for a long time and I needed it to be fresher.
"Sometimes, even if you don't want to, you have to stop for a while, look at how you are, mentally disconnect from the routines of football and take care of yourself. I've followed the nutrition guidelines I was given and I've prepared myself physically."
Barcelona will round off their preparations for the 2023-24 campaign with a clash against Tottenham Hotspur for the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 8, with their La Liga season then beginning against Getafe on August 13.
Matt Law
