Barcelona preparing new contract for 21-year-old ‘game-changing’ midfielder – report

Barcelona may have won the first-leg against PSG 2-3, but they did not come out of the game unscathed. It was a tense rollercoaster, with Andreas Christensen and Sergi Roberto both picking up yellow cards which have left them suspended for the return tie.

And while the first-half was eventful in itself, the game peaked in the second half when Barcelona conceded twice five minutes after the break.

It looked like another one of the Catalans’ catastrophic failures in the Champions League until Xavi managed to change their fortunes with two important substitutions, bringing on Pedri and Andreas Christensen.

While the Dane scored with a header, the former pretty much turned the game on its head single-handedly. Not only did he assist with his first touch, but his defensive awareness and composure in possession helped Barça sail through to the win.

Pedri to be presented with extension

Barcelona are seemingly very happy with Pedri despite his injury issues and are planning to present him with a contract extension soon, as per a report from Fabrizio Romano. The talks with Pedri’s entourage and agents will follow in the next few months.

His current contract lasts him until 2026, which gives Barcelona more than enough time to renew his deal after the season ends. All signs point towards an extension until 2028 and a salary raise.

The Spaniard has rejected all approaches from elite teams across Europe, who want to sign him, including PSG themselves. He only wants to succeed at Barcelona, and will almost definitely put pen to paper.

Stamp on the UCL season

All-round midfielder. (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Pedri has played just five out of Barcelona’s nine games in the Champions League this season, but has definitely made an impact with three assists to his name, only one less than leaders Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Vinicius Jr, and Ilkay Gundogan.

He was out with a hamstring injury ahead of the PSG clash, and was initially not expected to make it back in time for the game.

However, Barcelona gave him the green light just ahead of the game, and he was included on the bench, with Sergi Roberto, Gundogan, and Frenkie de Jong starting.

It took him a minute to make an impact on the game, which goes to prove his ability as a game-changer in this Barcelona side.