Barcelona gem was signed for just €20 million, reveals former sporting director

Barcelona have had hardly any transfers worth flaunting in recent years. Under the regime of Josep Maria Bartomeu, the club repeatedly signed big-name players who failed to make it big in Catalonia.

However, one good outcome of the former president’s regime was the arrival of Pedri. The teenager defied all odds and made his presence felt at the club in less than a month since his introduction.

By the end of the season, the Canary Islander was a player without whom Barcelona’s midfield was incomplete.

Ramon Planes was the club’s technical secretary at the time of Pedri’s signing and was closely involved throughout the operation. He was interviewed by Despierta San Fransisco on Radio MARCA (h/t SPORT) in which he spoke about the midfielder’s move to Barcelona.

When asked about the economical aspect of the deal, Planes said, “Pedri’s signing fee? I don’t like to say figures, but as far as I know, it’s not more than €20M. Not even fulfilling all the variables.”

This comes as big news given the club’s financial situation. To receive the services of such a talented youngster for a fee that low is a big boost for the club.

At the time of his transfer, the fee paid by the Catalans was just €5 million. Though initially criticised as a high fee for a teenager, the transfer move is now seen as one of the steals of the century.

He then added that Pedri did not join Barcelona only for the money but shared an ’emotional connect’ with the club. “Pedri pressed to accept our proposal because of his emotional relationship with Barça.”

Bayern Munich were reported to be interested in signing the teenager from Barcelona on loan last year. However, Planes revealed that the club never had an intention of letting him go.

“I was surprised that Bayern had a real and formal interest without hardly having seen him. It is a clear demonstration that in his department of ‘scouting ‘ They are doing things very well.

“They made us aware of their interest two days after the 8-2 win in Lisbon. We told them there was no chance at all,” concluded Planes.