Why Chelsea beat Man Utd to buy Pedro

The Old Trafford team lost the Barca winger at the last minute, to the reigning Premier League champions.

Pedro seemed to have set foot on Old Trafford when Man Utd CEO Ed Woodward personally flew to Barcelona to finalize the deal. On the night of August 19, he flew to... London for a medical examination, preparing to join Chelsea. From a latecomer to a frontrunner, The Blues used everything they could to defeat Man Utd's transfer department.

Pedro left the Nou Camp after finishing the Spanish Super Cup. Photo: SS.

Chelsea's CEO Marina Granovskaia also flew to Barcelona. She did not haggle, but immediately offered $34.5 million, the same amount as Pedro's release clause. Chelsea's slow start to the new season prompted the club's board to spend big.

According to Sky Sports, Chelsea was the only team to make an offer, unlike Man Utd or Man City. The "Red Devils" hesitated to offer too high a price for Pedro and in the end, coach Louis Van Gaal decided to give up.

On another front, Chelsea lured Pedro with personal connections. According to the Telegraph, Cesc Fabregas called Pedro to convince him to come to Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile, Fabregas' girlfriend Daniella Semaan contacted Pedro's wife, Carolina Martin. Fabregas was quite close to Pedro during his time at the Nou Camp and on the national team.

Jose Mourinho himself also called to attract Pedro.

Pedro's close relationship with Fabregas and Valdes made him leave Man Utd for Chelsea. Photo: Handout.

The 28-year-old striker is reluctant to move to Old Trafford. His former team-mate and close friend Victor Valdes has been shunned just over half a season into his time in England. His compatriot David De Gea has been banished to the stands.

A legend of the Nou Camp, Hristo Stoichkov advised Pedro not to go to Man Utd because Louis Van Gaal is destroying the traditional English club. Stoichkov described Van Gaal as a "mediocre" and "bad person".

If he comes to Chelsea, Pedro will play right forward, replacing Willian and Cuadrado.

Chelsea have signed left-back Baba Rahman and are close to making a £40m bid for Everton's John Stones. Meanwhile, Man Utd, after losing Pedro, are targeting Southampton striker Sadio Mane.

According to VNE