Pedri is worth much more than €1 billion – Laporta
Robin Bairner
- 15 Oct 2021 16:15 BST
- 3 min read
Barcelona president Joan Laporta says that Pedri is worth more than his €1 billion release clause and has been “touched by a magic wand”.
The exciting 18-year-old committed his future to Barcelona on Friday, when he signed a new five-year contract that was initially announced on Thursday.
Signed from Las Palmas in the summer of 2020 for €5 million before bonuses, Pedri 52 matches for the club last season as he exploded onto the scene. He has already turned out four more this term, despite returning to action late following his participation in Spain’s successful push for Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020.
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Indeed, he has already won 10 senior international caps as he has rapidly established himself as one of the stars of the future.
One of the most eye-catching aspects of the 18-year-old’s contract is the insertion of a €1 billion release clause.
“We want him all our lives at Barcelona,” Laporta replied when asked about the clause. “That’s the value that we have inserted into the contract, but Pedri is worth much more than that.”
Pedri to follow in the footsteps of Xavi and Iniesta
It's done #DreamTeen pic.twitter.com/7dbumsqJYB
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 14, 2021
Laporta went on to hail Pedri further and says that he wants to see him follow in the footsteps of fellow midfield greats Xavi and Andres Iniesta by playing the duration of his top-level career at Camp Nou.
“I want him to retire at Barcelona,” Laporta told the media. “Pedri is following in the wake of great players. He has been touched by a magic wand.
Pedri has been touched by a magic wand
- Joan Laporta“When you talk about Xavi and Andres… they finished their careers at Barca. Lionel Messi has given the best of his career to the club.”
The news is a ray of sunshine in what has otherwise been a torturous start to the season for Barcelona, whose financial problems have seen Messi depart for PSG and their performance slump on thefield.
“I hope I can experience more moments like this,” Laporta said. “Thank you to Pedri for what you want to do at Barcelona and for what you are giving us. We’ll do everything necessary to keep these dreams alive.”
Barcelona and Pedri will next be in action on Sunday, when they face Valencia.
