Chelsea confirm signing of Manchester United target Pedro from Barcelona

Chelsea have officially completed a deal for Pedro, the Barcelona forward who was believed to be close to joining Manchester United until a potential deal collapsed amid renewed interest from the reigning Premier League champions.

With United having been linked with the player constantly throughout the current transfer window, executive vice chairman Ed Woodward reportedly flew out to Spain earlier this week to seal the deal, only for negotiations to hit a snag with regards to the initial lump sum due to be paid.

Indeed, such a delay appears to have proven extremely costly after Pedro signed a four-year contract at Chelsea, as per the BBC, having been convinced to make the move by Jose Mourinho and compatriot Cesc Fabregas.

"Chelsea Football club is delighted to announce the signing of Pedro from Barcelona," the club announced via a statement on their website. "The Spaniard arrives as a highly coveted winger who can also play as a central striker. He is proven at the very highest level and already possesses an impressive medal haul.

"The 28-year-old has accumulated three Champions Leagues and five La Liga titles, as well as being a world and European champion on the international stage."

Barcelona have also confirmed the agreement, revealing that Chelsea have agreed to pay €30m (£21.4m, $33.5m) for the player, with €3m of that fee "dependent on performance".

"I am very happy to be here. I am very excited to start my adventure at Chelsea and I am here to keep winning titles," Pedro said after the transfer was announced. "Thanks to the club and the supporters for giving me the opportunity to put the blue shirt on."

Pedro, who made over 200 appearances for Barcelona and won 20 trophies after rising through the youth ranks with the Catalan giants, becomes the sixth player to join Chelsea during the summer and follows Monaco loanee Radamel Falcao, Danilo Pantic, Nathan and Asmir Begovic to Stamford Bridge. Ghana's international left-back Baba Rahman has also joined the club from Bundesliga outfit FC Augsburg.

Like Rahman, Pedro could make his debut in English football this weekend as Mourinho's side look to recover from a slow start to the 2015/16 campaign away to West Brom on 23 August.