Manchester City 'enter Pedro race'

Manchester City have entered the race to sign Pedro from Barcelona this summer, according to a report.

The 28-year-old has long been linked with a move to City's local rivals Manchester United after seeing his first team opportunities limited by the form of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar last season.

Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez earlier revealed that Pedro had handed in a transfer request at the Camp Nou in an effort to force a move.

Old Trafford appeared to be the most likely destination for the Spaniard, but Marca reports that City have now expressed an interest in the winger.

The 2013-14 Premier League champions' football director Txiki Begiristain is understood to have contacted that Spanish giants and could make a bid closer to Barca's asking price of €30m (£21.3m) in the coming days.

Barca are thought to be reluctant to sell Pedro until Neymar recovers from mumps, although the winger was left out of the club's starting lineup for their UEFA Super Cup clash with Sevilla this evening.