Man United frontrunners to sign Barcelona star

United have stepped up their pursuit of Barcelona star Pedro, according to reports in Spain.

Marca claim "work on the deal is already underway" with the Spaniard keen on regular first-team football.

He accepts that he will no longer get that at the Nou Camp, given the success of Barca's striking trio of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi last season.

He had been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea in recent weeks while Liverpool and Paris St-Germain also hold an interest but United have moved to the head of the race to secure his signature.