Barcelona may have made some excellent signings in the summer transfer window, but Deco also knows how important it is to keep hold of talents for the future.
Although the Catalan club have negotiated exits for many La Masia graduates this transfer window, they have retained significant control over their future.
Meanwhile, it is also important for Barça to renew the contracts of talented academy starlets they intend to retain in the team.
Now, according to SPORT, Barcelona are working to secure the future of Pedro Rodriguez, with the highly rated 18-year-old midfielder expected to continue his development at the club.
There is optimism on both sides over a renewal, with talks already underway. Pedro’s current contract expires in June 2027.
Barça want Pedro to stay
Renewal edging closer. (Photo courtesy: X/FCBMasia)
Some doubts emerged after Pedro was not among the academy players selected to begin pre-season with Hansi Flick’s first team.
However, the report makes clear that his absence was purely a sporting decision and was not connected to his contractual situation. Barcelona continue to regard the midfielder as a player with significant potential.
Pedro shares that confidence in the pathway available to him at the club. Having spent eight seasons within Barcelona’s system, his ambition remains to eventually reach the first team.
For now, his immediate challenge is establishing himself under Juliano Belletti at Barça Atletic.
The Brazilian knows Pedro particularly well after previously working with him in the Juvenil A side that won the treble, where the midfielder was an important part of the team.
One of La Masia’s brightest midfield talents
Pedro’s profile makes his development particularly interesting for Barcelona.
Primarily a No. 8, he is technically gifted, intelligent in possession and capable of creating opportunities around the final third.
He can also operate deeper as a No. 6, using his distribution and understanding of space to help control matches.
A special talent. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
In fact, there is a case to be made that his characteristics are very similar to Pedri’s, at least from a profile perspective.
This is not a comparison and not a burden that should be placed on Pedro, but there is certain value in Barcelona investing in such a profile.
Patience will be important
Breaking into Barcelona’s midfield is not a piece of cake. The club have just reached an agreement to sell someone as talented as Tommy Marques to Braga to give him the right platform for his development.
With the likes of Rodri, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal and Fermin Lopez, there is no room in midfield at the moment.
However, in a few seasons’ time, both Rodri and Frenkie will slowly start declining, necessitating replacements.
Having someone like Pedro develop and hopefully sending him out on a couple of smart loans could help accelerate his development.
It is a massive boost that Barcelona are close to reaching an agreement with him on a new contract, and it remains to be seen how Pedro’s development plays out.