When Pedro signed a new contract with Barcelona in April, Barcelona reported his buyout clause would remain at 150 million euro. Now it seems that’s not the case.

I was a bit disappointed at the size of the release clause, because I thought with Suarez after going from Liverpool to Barcelona last season, that there may be a very slim hope of Pedro going in the opposite direction this season.

Pedro has so many qualities as a player, but he’s been at Barcelona during the clubs most successful period, when they’ve been well stocked with superstar forwards. As a result, Pedro hasn’t been able to establish himself as a regular starter, but he has scored some important goals for the club and has a record of scoring a goal every three and bit games. Not too shabby at all.

He’s left-footed, hard working, and has wonderful technique.

The rumours of him joining Manchester United have gathered momentum, and it’ll break a little bit of my heart if it goes through. If he does sign for them, I predict he’ll have a massive season.

If the rumoured fee of 32 million euro is correct, then I’ll be doing a hell of a lot of head shaking, especially if Liverpool spend the guts of 47 million euro on Benteke.

Am I disappointed Sterling has left Liverpool?

Of course I am. He’s already an excellent footballer (despite some recent revisionism) and has plenty of potential to still unlock.

Am I disappointed he’s joining Manchester City?

I am. As with most players who leave the club, I don’t want to see them playing against Liverpool. I did make an exception for Fowler, when I went to the home game against Manchester City, as I hadn’t seen him playing in the flesh. Unfortunately he didn’t turn out that day.

A move abroad would have been a preferable option for me, but it is what it is. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do next season. It’s going to be interesting to see the path his career takes from here.

What do I make of how the transfer went through?

Look, there are plenty of people commenting on what happened, and none of them really know what has happened. They are not privy to the private conversations between Sterling and Ward (his agent), and they have no idea what was said during the discussions between Rodgers and the board.

I’d have preferred if it was done in a quieter manner. There’s no need to do unsanctioned interviews, and there’s no need to leak stories to the press. Just sort it out properly and with maturity.

It’s interesting that Berahino has sacked Ward as his agent. Berahino was another player who participated in a dodgy interview, and I don’t think it’s a conincidence that the same agent was involved.

It’s done now though so move along.

Is Sterling worth £49m?

Something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Manchester City have parted with an awful lot of money, so they must think he’s worth it.

Trying to logically apply worth to a players transfer fee is not a sensible task I think. History will judge the worthiness of all players.

Are Liverpool a selling club?

Gah! This talk does my head in. All football clubs are selling clubs. There are less buying clubs, especially at the top end of the market. It’s lazy and childish to jump on these efforts to troll.

Anything else on the matter?

Nah, I’ve enough said.

For some reason, professional footballers behaving badly continue to be held up as some of moral compass about how there is a general decay in society, lack of decorum, a dumbing down and dwindling standards relating to how human beings treat each other.

In other sports such as cricket and rugby union, where the participants and spectators, generally attract a lesser earthy and more niche middle class crowd, some may say a smattering of snobs, old money and the nouveau riche, drunken antics are viewed as a touch of high jinks.

That quote is from the latest Early Doors post on Eurosport.

The misdemeanour doesn’t have to be so grand either. Don’t blame the sport blame the player. Don’t judge the sport judge the incident.

I’m not sure what I want to write about this sorry affair. On one hand I couldn’t care less, on the other some of the bile that is being spouted has nothing to do with the issues at hand.

There is a lot of same-old, same-old in this story. Rich footballer shags model. Chelsea footballer cheats on this wife. Blah, blah, blah. I don’t give a toss about this side of the story. A lot of men give in to temptation when beautiful young women put it on a plate for them. It’s rag worthy when it involves a footballer, especially an English one, because we know how the English love to tear into their own.

What interests me is the fallout. For example, should Terry have been axed as England captain? What would I do if I was England manager..

The first thing I’d do is have a meeting with Wayne Bridge. I’d ask him one question “Would you play for an England team captained by John Terry?” If the answer was “No” then I wouldn’t bring him to South Africa with me anyway. If the answer was “Yes” then I know this boy will do anything to help his country win a World Cup.

The next question would be who to appoint next when I strip Terry of the captaincy? The general consensus seems to be that the England captain has to set a good example for young players coming through. This example has to be both on and off the pitch.

Lets go through some of the leading candidates.

Wayne Rooney is out, as he abuses referees and has sex with old prostitutes. Steven Gerrard is out, as he punches lads in bars. Rio Ferdinand is out as he abuses referees on a weekly basis, and misses drug tests. Ashley Cole could yet be dragged into the Terry saga, and he’s hardly a good role model. Who does that leave?

For me, I’d have to go with Gareth Barry. Leads by example on the pitch, and appears to lead a quiet life off the pitch. With it looking increasingly likely that Owen Hargreaves is going to lose his fight for fitness (here’s hoping he can win it, another good guy), Barry looks like being an automatic first choice too, so all the boxes are ticked.

I’m glad I’m not English manager though, Mr Capello is a much more skilled fire-fighter than me.