Chelsea close to agreeing Pedro transfer as Man United admit defeat

Chelsea are on the brink of agreeing a deal with Barcelona and Spain winger Pedro after outbidding Manchester United.

In a crippling blow to the Old Trafford club, they look set to miss out on their long-term target - even after Ed Woodward flew to Spain this week to tie up a deal.

Pedro has been available all summer for £23million (€30million) after a verbal agreement with the Nou Camp club on signing his latest contract. But with United trying to haggle over a price, a poor start to the season from Chelsea has forced them into the transfer market and the winger will become one of at least three arrivals green-lighted by Roman Abramovich this week.

Sources at Manchester United have told MirrorFootball that it was they who pulled the plug on their interest in the player, while the Blues are confident that they have, in fact, convinced the player to move to London instead

Only last week, the World Cup winner dropped his strongest hint yet that he could move to Old Trafford.

Pedro claimed United would be a "nice challenge" after scoring Barcelona's winner in the UEFA Super Cup, but even then hinted that there may be other offers on the table.

"Manchester?" he said. "Yes, there are nice challenges on all sides.

"Today I'm here [at Barcelona], and I'm happy. And if I go, I will go with my head held high having always given everything. These fans and this club are incredible."