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Soccer

Pedro denies saying he wants to leave Barcelona

By FoxSports
Published | Updated
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TBILISI, GEORGIA - AUGUST 11: Pedro of Barcelona kisses the UEFA Cup trophy as Barcelona celebrate victoy during the UEFA Super Cup between Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Dinamo Arena on August 11, 2015 in Tbilisi, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)

Manchester United target Pedro has denied saying that he wants to leave Barcelona, but admits he does not know where his future lies.

Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez was quoted as saying before Tuesday night's UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla that Pedro had told him he wanted to move on from the Nou Camp club.

The Spain winger has been heavily linked with a move to United as they look to replace Angel di Maria, who joined Paris St Germain for £44.3million last week.

However, speaking after the match in which he came off the bench to score a last-gasp winner in a thrilling 5-4 victory, Pedro said the situation was more complicated than him simply wanting to leave the Catalan giants.

Asked if he wanted to go or not, the long-serving forward was quoted as saying by AS: "The answer is no. But it's complicated for many things.

"It's not for money, as has been said - which is another lack of respect. It's a question of continuity, of minutes. I'm an ambitious player. Stay or go, I will always be of this team."

Pedro continued: "Today Robert has made some very unfortunate declarations, I've crossed two words with him and he doesn't know what I've been through at the club to talk like that of me.

"I know who I am and I will always be of Barca. Such people shouldn't speak in this way."

He added on Antena 3: "I'm happy with the trophy and with the game.

"I've not said what Robert's said, or at least not how I said it. I'm calm, happy and I will always continue giving everything if I continue at this club."

With Brazil striker Neymar being struck down with mumps over the weekend, it had been thought Pedro would line up alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez up front in Barca's starting line-up in Tbilisi on Tuesday.

However, coach Luis Enrique opted to leave the 28-year-old on the bench and start with Rafinha, and it was not until extra time that Pedro was sent on.

Pedro made a match-winning impact, though, scoring the deciding goal moments from the end as Barca claimed a dramatic win.

Pedro added: "The truth is that I had a good chance to play, especially since of what happened to Neymar, and it wasn't to be. The coach has decided not to count on me. I don't know, I don't know if I will continue here.

"I'm here now and I want to enjoy this title.

"Manchester? Yes, there are nice challenges on all sides. Today I'm here, and I'm happy. And if I go I will go with my head held high having always given everything. These fans and this club are incredible."