According to reports from The Daily Mail yesterday evening, Chelsea are ‘likely’ to attempt hijacking Manchester United’s deal for Barcelona forward Pedro with a last-minute bid.
The three-time Champions League winner is almost certain to leave the Nou Camp before the close of the transfer window after slumping behind Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar in the pecking order last season.
His likeliest destination is Manchester United; he’s already made a ‘verbal agreement‘ to join the Red Devils according to some sources, whilst Louis van Gaal was suspiciously coy when quizzed on his interest in the 27 year-old last week.
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Red Devils chief executive Ed Woodward flew into Barcelona on Monday night to try and speed up the negotiation process, with the Old Trafford outfit seemingly reluctant to pay the Spain international’s £22million release clause in full – or at the very least, reluctant to pay it in one lump sum.
According to The Daily Mail, however, that hesitation in combination with the poor start to their Premier League title defence has rekindled Chelsea’s interest in the 5 foot 6 attacker – having been linked with him earlier in the summer.
Owner Roman Abramovich has made more funds available to sign a top class player and The Mail claim he’s particularly keen on the former World Cup winner.
It coincides with reports claiming Pedro has given Manchester United a three-day deadline to wrap up their deal for him, before the new La Liga season starts.
I like Pedro @ Chelsea