FC Barcelona prodigy Pedri is set to don a new squad number from next season on, it has been revealed.

The info comes courtesy of Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, who point towards the midfielder’s ever-increasing importance to the Blaugrana cause being imminently recognised.

To this point, since exploding onto the scene in the Catalan capital on the back of his arrival from Las Palmas in the summer of 2020, Pedri has taken to the pitch with the number 16 emblazoned across his back.

Pedri’s new Barcelona squad number revealed

BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 3: Pedri celebrates during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona v Sevilla at the Camp Nou on April 3, 2022 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)

As confirmed on Thursday, though, moving forward, the 19-year-old will don the number eight shirt as part of Xavi Hernandez’s ranks.

This past season saw Dani Alves act as Barca’s no. eight, but the Brazilian’s free agent exit means that the shirt has since become available.

And it will now be taken on by a player altogether more suited to the traditions of an 8, with Pedri, of course, one of world football’s finest up-and-coming box-to-box midfielders.

Those of a Blaugrana persuasion will now be hopeful of their breakthrough sensation following in the footsteps of a player whom many would no doubt argue represents the greatest to have ever worn the number eight at the Camp Nou, in the form of Andres Iniesta.

Arthur links

Elsewhere on the Barcelona front, a former member of the Catalans’ ranks has today been tipped for a shock return to the club.

The player in question? Arthur Melo.

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