Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho made personal call to Barcelona star Pedro in order to seal £21.1m deal for Manchester United target

Chelsea have beaten Manchester United in the chase to sign Pedro from Barcelona and Old Trafford manager Louis van Gaal faces more misery in his bid to prise Sadio Mane from Southampton.

Jose Mourinho made a personal intervention to beat his old mentor Van Gaal to Pedro. Mourinho's personal call helped convince the 28-year-old Spain striker Stamford Bridge was the right destination.

Chelsea struck a deal for £21.1million, with £19m paid up front, more than United offered. Pedro is expected to complete the transfer after a medical on Thursday and be available for Sunday's game at West Bromwich Albion if there are no complications.

Manchester United were in pole position to sign Pedro but Chelsea made a late bid for the Barcelona attacker

Manchester United were in pole position to sign Pedro but Chelsea made a late bid for the Barcelona attacker

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho leads his players in training on Wednesday
Louis van Gaal walks to the Old Trafford dugout before facing Club Bruges

Jose Mourinho (left) made a personal call to Pedro in order to beat Louis van Gaal (right) to his signature

Pedro, pictured in action against Athletic Bilbao this week, will undergo a medical with Chelsea on Thursday

Pedro, pictured in action against Athletic Bilbao this week, will undergo a medical with Chelsea on Thursday

A MAN WITH A WINNING HABIT

Chances are, if you've watched Barcelona over the past five years, you'll know Pedro. The Spanish forward — a graduate of the club's famous La Masia youth academy — was promoted to the first team by Pep Guardiola in 2008 and has gone on to net 99 goals in 318 games since.


WHAT TYPE OF PLAYER IS HE?

The 5ft 5in 28-year-old is a predatory finisher and plays as a wide forward, or occasionally as a second striker. Due to the presence of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, he has been used as an impact sub of late. Last season he started 22 of 50 games, but still scored 11 goals.

BUT IS HE ANY GOOD?

Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas have shown how effective Barca's fringe players can be in the Premier League. Pedro was a key cog in arguably the greatest club side of all time (Guardiola's Barca) with whom he's won 20 trophies and he scored the opener in the Champions League final against Manchester United in 2011.

OK, I'M CONVINCED. BUT HOW DOES HE FIT IN AT CHELSEA?

Chelsea's midfield triumvirate of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian have been below par this season, and could do with some extra firepower with Juan Cuadrado failing to cut it. With Hazard all but undroppable, Pedro will likely compete for game time with the two Brazilians.

                                      BY BOB TREASURE 

It will be a second recruit for the champions since Sunday's sobering 3-0 defeat at Manchester City, after £22m left back Baba Rahman joined from Augsburg.

Pedro has sought a move from Barcelona, where his opportunities have been limited by the dazzling presence of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.

Mourinho rejected the chance to sign him in January, when Chelsea preferred to spend £27m on Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina because he was not cup-tied in the Champions League. Cuadrado has been a huge disappointment and will be offered the chance to leave on loan.

Mourinho will hope Pedro can inject the required pace, urgency and goals into a team who have opened the season in sluggish style, taking one point from two games.

Pedro was delighted when Chelsea revived their interest. He was said to have been unconvinced about a move to Old Trafford, perhaps detecting Van Gaal's doubts about his suitability.

United's take on the matter on Wednesday night was that they withdrew from the deal on Tuesday when the manager decided he didn't want the Barcelona player after all.

It seemed a strange explanation, given chief executive Ed Woodward had been in Catalonia as recently as Monday, but Van Gaal has always had reservations about Pedro, as reported in Sportsmail.

United took their search for pace and creativity towards Mane, the 23-year-old Senegal striker who scored 10 goals in 26 games for Southampton last season.

Saints were quick to issue a firm rebuke. 'Mane is a key part of our team and our planning for the future,' said a source inside the club. 'He wouldn't be sold.'

Manchester United manager Van Gaal has now turned his attention to Southampton forward Sadio Mane

Manchester United manager Van Gaal has now turned his attention to Southampton forward Sadio Mane

Mane scored 10 league goals during his first season in England - including a hat-trick against Aston Villa

Mane scored 10 league goals during his first season in England - including a hat-trick against Aston Villa

Saints manager Ronald Koeman will be hoping to ward off interest in the former Red Bull Salzburg ace

Saints manager Ronald Koeman will be hoping to ward off interest in the former Red Bull Salzburg ace

United are working on one major signing they hope to complete before the transfer window closes on September 1. Thomas Muller remains a target, albeit an ambitious one with Bayern Munich not interested in selling.

There are echoes of the prevarication which came to symbolise the David Moyes era to be found in United's inability to conclude the Pedro deal in time to deny Chelsea.

Moyes was accused privately of dithering over a move for Barca midfielder Thiago Alcantara two years ago. The former Everton boss was alleged to have had second thoughts with the transfer on the verge of completion. Thiago signed for Bayern instead.

If United are to be taken at their word, it would appear Van Gaal has now done exactly the same.

United's interest in Pedro dates back to late June, so supporters may well ask why it has taken until now for their manager to decide he doesn't want him. 

Manchester United remain interested in Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller, pictured against Hamburg

Manchester United remain interested in Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller, pictured against Hamburg

Pedro has an effort at goal as Athletic Bilbao's Xabier Etxeita attempts to block his shot at the Nou Camp

Pedro has an effort at goal as Athletic Bilbao's Xabier Etxeita attempts to block his shot at the Nou Camp

Van Gaal wants to sign a new forward to help captain Wayne Rooney, pictured in action against Club Bruges

Van Gaal wants to sign a new forward to help captain Wayne Rooney, pictured in action against Club Bruges

United have made a habit of missing out on players to Chelsea in the Roman Abramovich era. Michael Essien, Michael Ballack, Arjen Robben, John Mikel Obi and Cesc Fabregas all ended up at the Bridge despite firm interest from Old Trafford.

Van Gaal has 11 more days of trading. On the pre-season tour of the United States, the Dutchman said his team required a player of 'creativity' to complete the summer overhaul. Since then they have added no players and it is unlikely their interest in Mane fits such a lofty aim.

Wayne Rooney has admitted he was below par during last week's win at Aston Villa but has promised to carry the burden up front.

'I understand it's on me to get the goals,' he said. 'My mind's clear. I know how to play the role. It's a case of getting the chances and taking them, which I'm hopeful I'm going to do soon.'