Chelsea will sign Pedro from Barcelona on Wednesday in a £21.1million deal.
Manchester United pulled away from the deal on Tuesday night with the 28-year-old Spain international keen on a move to London.
United
manager Louis van Gaal and executive vice chairman Ed Woodward held
more talks about the move on Monday but decided not to push through
their initial interest.
Chelsea have hijacked Manchester United’s move for Barcelona forward Pedro
United were in pole position to sign the Spain international but they have given up on the deal
Manchester United's chief executive Ed Woodward flew to Barcelona for talks, which have come to nothing
Pedro was understood to be unimpressed by United's pursuit after failing to be convinced that they really wanted him to join.
Manchester
City and Chelsea have both been in contact with Barcelona for a number
of weeks, however, the Premier League champions moved quickly after a
weekend in which Jose Mourinho made it clear he needed improvements to
his squad.
The Blues will pay £19million up front to the Catalan giants, an improvement on the £17m offered by United.
The
World Cup winner, who will team up with friend Cesc Fabregas at
Stamford Bridge, is expected to have a medical on Wednesday afternoon
with Chelsea's Spanish doctor Paco Biosca overseeing events.
Sportsmail
understands Mourinho personally spoke to Pedro to convince the winger
of his worth to his new suitors in order to seal the deal.
Pedro's
camp were unaware of United chief Woodward's trip to Barcelona to try
to get the deal over the line in what became a breakdown in United's
attempt for his signature.
A United source said that the club had decided to end their interest in Pedro and that the decision was made by Van Gaal.
They added: 'Money was never an issue given the buyout clause. If it was clear cut the deal would have been done weeks ago.'
Pedro, in action against Bilbao on Monday in the Spanish Super Cup, wants to leave the Nou Camp
Pedro scored the winner in extra-time in last week's European Super Cup against Sevilla
Pedro's
arrival will likely trigger the departure of Juan Cuadrado with
Juventus waiting in the wings to sign the Colombian. His pace and
work-ethic will also add greater protection to a defence that has come
under scrutiny in the opening Premier League games.
United were in pole position to sign the World Cup winner after Woodward flew to Barcelona for further talks on Monday.
But
Chelsea went toe-to-toe with their Barclays Premier League rivals, with
Roman Abramovich particularly keen on signing the player.
Chelsea
need to boost their own attacking options before the close of the
summer transfer window following a miserable start to the new season.
Mourinho's
side were handed a 3-0 drubbing by Manchester City on Sunday after a
chastening draw at home against Swansea in their opening game.
Louis van Gaal (left) has given up on Pedro but Jose Mourinho made a personal call to entice the player
Pedro, here kissing the UEFA Super Cup, has also won the World Cup and three Champions League titles
Chelsea first had an interest in Pedro earlier in the summer but Mourinho wasn’t sure.
United’s
neighbours City were also interested in a deal for Pedro but have made
Wolfsburg midfielder Kevin De Bruyne their top target.
Pedro
had appeared to be ready to join United for some time and expressed his
intentions to quit Barcelona after a trophy-laden 10-year career at the
Nou Camp.
But
United's prevarication over the fee - Pedro has a £22m buy-out clause
in his contract - opened the door for one of their main rivals.
Tags
SOCCER