Pedri names the Barcelona star ready to replace Sergio Busquets

Barcelona star Pedri has this weekend waded in on the upcoming departure of teammate Sergio Busquets.

It has of course long been common knowledge that midfield icon Busquets is primed to bring a close to his Blaugrana stint next summer.

This comes as Xavi Hernandez continues his efforts to usher in a new era at the Camp Nou, in a bid to reestablish his beloved club amongst the continent’s very best.

Busquets has been on the books in Catalunya for a full 14 years now, but is widely regarded as being past his brilliant best.

In turn, those in a position of power at the club have been forced to seek out a long-term replacement for the aging Spanish international.

One individual of the opinion that such an option already exists amongst Xavi’s ranks, though, is the aforementioned Pedri.

Speaking to Diario Sport this weekend, Pedri, himself a midfield icon in the making, was drawn on the task facing Barca in filling Busquets’ role as the club’s deep-lying pivot.

And the teenage prodigy went on to namedrop teammate Frenkie de Jong as being in possession of the qualities needed to step into the gaping hole set to be left by Busquets next season:

“Frenkie has many qualities, we’ve seen that when he plays for the Netherlands in that position, and he does it spectacularly.”

“I think he can be a replacement in future, but hopefully Busquets will extend.”

Barcelona transfer news: Real Madrid star targeted, fresh right-back eyed & more

Four Premier League stars make L’Equipe Team of the Year