..::Football III::..

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Ramos has the spirit of a Real Madrid legend - Butragueno

Emilio Butragueno believes Sergio Ramos will go down as a Real Madrid legend.

The defender flirted with a move away from the Spanish capital, with a move to Manchester United looking likely. However, the World Cup winner opted to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu, signing a new deal which ties him to the club until 2020.

Ramos is set to captain Madrid this season following the departure of Iker Casillas to Porto and club legend Butragueno believes he will be a great leader for the team.

"He came in from Sevilla at just 19, but with a great personality," he told AS. "There are players who were born to be at this club and Sergio has the spirit of legendary players. He begins a new stage with the club and has all the conditions to be successful as captain of Madrid.

Butragueno, who won six league titles with Madrid as a player, expects a lot from new signing Mateo Kovacic.

"Kovacic is a talented player who has spent several years in Italy even though he is just 21. We have high expectations for him because he is technically very gifted and he will certainly be a great signing.

"When a season begins, the approach is always the same - we go out to win all the titles we can, there are very strong teams in Spain and in Europe, but we are required to do our best and to meet the expectations of our fans."

 

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Valencia 3-1 Monaco: Rodrigo & Co. pick apart wasteful visitors

Valencia triumphed 3-1 over a resilient Monaco side in Wednesday's Champions League play-off first leg.

Rodrigo took just over four minutes to break the deadlock, latching on to Sofiane Feghouli's simply cut-back to tap home from close range after a spell of concerted pressure from the hosts.

The early goal kicked a sluggish Monaco into gear, with Mat Ryan - a debutant in the Valencia goal - forced into action from Andrea Raggi and then Anthony Martial but stood up well.

In a lively first half, Monaco posed a threat from set-pieces while the likes of Ivan Cavaleiro and Bernardo Silva were causing the Valencia full-backs much concern as half-time approached.

Indeed, Silva should have equalised when skipping past Jose Gaya and finding the outside of the far post with a thunderous shot before Martial's close-range finish was correctly ruled out for offside.

Monaco continued their improved display in the second half, netting an equaliser less than four minutes after the restart when Mario Pasalic pounced on a poor clearance to tuck home from eight yards.

Martial was at the heart of the move, skipping past three challenges before drilling a pass into the six-yard box that Ruben Vezo failed to deal with to gift Chelsea loanee Pasalic a simple finish.

The visitors immediately dropped deeper after netting a deserved away goal and Valencia wasted no time taking advantage when substitute Pablo Piatti pulled back a deep cross for Parejo to tuck home.

Again Monaco managed to kick back into gear, testing Ryan through Wallace and Toulalan before Martial, a handful all evening, was brought down by Gaya only for his credible penalty appeals to be waved away.

Valencia delivered a a hammer with five minutes remaining when Feghouli beat Danijel Subasic from the edge of the area to give the visitors a daunting task at Stade Louis II for the second leg in six days' time.

 

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Rooney hits back at critics: I've only had one bad game

Wayne Rooney insists he has only played one bad game this season as Manchester United's main striker and is hoping to silence his critics by ending his goal drought against Newcastle on Saturday.

Restored to the focal point of United's attack following the summer departures of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao, many have suggested that Rooney has looked off the pace and failed to carry the goal threat of past years, failing to score or consistently get himself into dangerous positions against Tottenham, Aston Villa and Club Brugge.

But despite being upstaged by new signing Memphis Depay in United's 3-1 Champions League play-off victory over the Belgian side on Tuesday, Rooney insists he was only disappointed with his performance against Villa and remains confident that his scoring touch will return soon.

"I've had one bad game this season and everyone's all over it," he told reporters. "I know - I've had that throughout my career but hopefully at the weekend I can get off the mark.

"I'm an honest guy. I know when I don't play well and against Aston Villa I was below my standards. I know that. I thought I had a good game [against Brugge], I could have had a goal or two, but that's football. It was a great night for us, obviously, getting the victory and hopefully we'll kick on from there.

"It's early on in the season. Three games in, it's time for me to keep going. I've experienced this before and the goals will come, I know that.

"My mind's clear. I know how to play the role. It's just a case of getting the chances and taking them which I'm hopefully going to do soon."

Rooney's last competitive goal for United came in a 3-1 Premier League win over Aston Villa on April 4, but ahead of the Brugge match a bullish Van Gaal backed his captain to break his scoring drought.

"All the media has written for one year that I have to put him in the striker’s position, so it’s amazing that after two games you are doubting your own opinions,” the United boss told reporters.

“I cannot understand that. I have always confidence in my players."

 

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Rooney hits back at critics: I've only had one bad game

I've only had one bad game thamaiPerformance anthimaiStriker kenekgen balaporotthuwena de une naha Rooney gen​

 

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Ter Stegen: Pique punishment unfair

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has described Gerard Pique's four-game ban as "unfair" and admitted the defender will be sorely missed during his suspension.

Pique was dismissed during the second half of his side's Supercopa de Espana clash with Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou on Monday after being shown a yellow card for verbally abusing the referee's assistant following a contentious offside call.

The Spain international was on Wednesday suspended for the first four games of the new Liga season, which gets under way for the champions with another clash against Athletic this weekend.

Pique apologised for his aggressive behaviour but denied using the offensive language mentioned in the referee's report and Barcelona have confirmed their intention to contest the ban.

Ter Stegen is backing the Blaugrana's stance and is hoping that the centre-half is back on the pitch sooner than expected.

"The ban is unfair," the German shot-stopper told reporters on Wednesday. "Pique is a very important player for us we will miss him.

"But we will try to do our best during his absence at the start of La Liga to ensure he is missed as little as possible."

Ter Stegen is unlikely to feature in Barca's Primera Division opener either, with head coach Luis Enrique only selecting the 23-year-old for cup games and preferring to pick Claudio Bravo for Liga outings.

The former Borussia Monchengladbach man admitted he finds the compromise frustrating and is hoping to become Barca's No.1 for all competitions.

"We all work hard every week in order to be a starter but it is for the coach to decide," Ter Stegen added."I would love to play in the league but we will see what the coach decides."

 

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Hareide: Malmo in a marvellous position in Celtic tie

Malmo coach Age Hareide said his team is in a "marvellous position" ahead of their Champions League play-off second leg against Celtic.

The Swedish champions were in trouble after 10 minutes at Celtic Park thanks to early goals from Leigh Griffiths and Nir Biton for the hosts but Jo Inge Berget gave Malmo some hope just after the break only for the visitors to concede again.

Griffiths added his second just past the hour mark but Malmo ensured the tie remains in the balance when Berget completed his own brace in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time.

"Now we are in a marvellous position ahead of the return [leg] on Tuesday," Hareide told TV6 afterwards.

Hareide added that with striker Markus Rosenberg and midfielder Enoch Adu set to be available after being suspended for the trip to Scotland, it gives Malmo "high hopes" of reaching the Champions League group stage.

Berget was the hero for Malmo, with the former Celtic striker lashing the visitors' first goal into the net in the 52nd minute, while his second came from a corner as he reacted quickest to score on the turn after the ball was knocked down.

It was the kind of finishing rarely seen during his time in Scotland as he played just four league matches for Celtic, scoring twice, and the 24-year-old conceded it felt good to inflict some pain on his ex-employers.

"Revenge, yes for me, but the goal was very, very important for Malmo," Berget said, according to Sydsvenskan.

"Everything looks good now, [we have] reached a good estimation.

"We have been good at home before, so hopefully we will win the return [leg]."

 

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Toulalan: Monaco can turn Valencia tie around

Jeremy Toulalan is adamant that Monaco can still qualify for the group stage of the Champions League - provided they cut out the defensive mistakes which characterised their 3-1 defeat in Valencia on Wednesday.

The Ligue 1 outfit found themselves a goal down after just four minutes of play at Mestalla, with Rodrigo opening the scoring for the hosts, but the visitors replied through Mario Pasalic just after the interval.

However, Monaco then allowed Dani Parejo to put Valencia back in front and the conceded an 86th-minute goal to Sofiane Feghouli that completely changed the complexion of the two-legged tie.

Toulalan admitted afterwards that last season's quarter-finalists now face an uphill task at the Stade Louis II next Tuesday - but the Monaco captain has not given up hope of turning the tie around.

"We committed defensive mistakes and we paid heavily for them," he told beIN Sports. "It's all a shame because we had chances to score and we did not.

"We could have got a draw but there is still much to play for. We saw that we can create chances, so anything is possible."It will be tough but if we start well at home and score the first goal, everything is still open to us."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Having turned down Higuain, Dybala & Martinez, has Wenger erred in Benzema pursuit?

Arsene Wenger is used to being hammered for a lack of activity in the transfer market, but the Arsenal manager has made exactly the right call in the case of Karim Benzema.

The Gunners have made Benzema their top target for the summer transfer window but their hopes are fading of striking a £45 million deal before the end of the month.

Benzema, 27, is happy at Real Madrid and the club have no desire to sell him, especially with no direct replacement lined up and the player a favourite of president Florentino Perez.

On the face of it, it might look like Arsenal have wasted the last few months on an unattainable target.

But sources at the north London club insist they were given encouragement earlier in the summer that an agreement could be reached.

And as Wenger keeps saying, he is only in the market for “exceptional” players.

Arsenal are no longer at a stage where they need to sign squad fillers. Just look at how little impact Danny Welbeck made last season after his £16m transfer from Manchester United.

The squad is packed with quality and Wenger’s aim this summer has been to sprinkle it with a little stardust as he did in the two previous years with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.

Benzema falls into that category and is the type of A-list striker who could help Arsenal win their first title since 2004.

Wenger believes he has perfectly capable forward options.
Arsenal are no longer at a stage where they need to sign squad fillers. Just look at how little impact Danny Welbeck made last season after his £16m transfer from Manchester United.

The squad is packed with quality and Wenger’s aim this summer has been to sprinkle it with a little stardust as he did in the two previous years with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.

Benzema falls into that category and is the type of A-list striker who could help Arsenal win their first title since 2004.

Wenger believes he has perfectly capable forward options.
Wenger’s argument would be that there is no proof that Dybala or Martinez would have been able to provide a genuine upgrade, particularly coming from weaker and slower paced leagues. Arsenal were comfortable in allowing both to join other clubs.

Higuain has a more proven CV but Napoli’s asking price would likely eclipse the fee Arsenal would have to pay for Benzema. There are also questions over how he would deal with the pace and physicality of the Premier League.

And beyond that, the options are slim. Wenger has recently bemoaned the limited pool of talented strikers in world football and believes modern coaching is partly to blame.

“There are a few reasons [for it],” Wenger said last week. “One of the basic ones is that, linked with the centre forwards, we develop less centre backs in Europe. Before, when the teams practised in the park on bad pitches in winter, we had to lift the ball, we had to go behind, and today the pitches are all perfect.

“In training there is only passing so we can only develop midfielders now. All the education is about passing on the ground on perfect pitches.”

It was a perceptive comment from a manager who has been right to go with his instincts and gamble on Benzema this summer.

 

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Pardew: Crystal Palace won't sell Bolasie and Murray

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has rejected talk that Yannick Bolasie and Glenn Murray could leave the club before the transfer deadline.

Winger Bolasie has been linked with a move to Tottenham after catching the eye with some lively displays for the Eagles, while Premier League new-boys Bournemouth are reported to be keen on striker Murray.

Pardew, though, is determined to keep the duo at Selhurst Park.

"Yannick is linked to other clubs all the time because he's an exciting player," the Palace boss told reporters, "but he is a Crystal Palace player and is loved by our fans.

"Murray is [also] very much our player. He's been brilliant for this football club and will be brilliant for this football club going forward.

"As much as we owe Glenn, he owes us for the platform that we've given him in the Premier League. I have a great relationship with him."

Pardew did hint that young forward Dwight Gayle could leave the club despite a potential move to Bristol City breaking down, stating: "Gayle remains our player until such time that another club puts a bid in that we accept."

 

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Ribery still has a role to play at Bayern Munich, insists Alaba

David Alaba has dismissed suggestions that Franck Ribery's cycle at Bayern Munich is nearing its end and is adamant that the Frenchman still remains a key figure for the Bavarians.

The former France international has been plagued by injuries over the past two seasons and some have questioned whether he will ever be able to replicate the form that saw him make the top three for the Ballon d'Or in 2013.

The arrival of Douglas Costa from Shakhtar Donetsk earlier this summer has cast further doubts over Ribery's future at the club, yet Alaba has little doubt the winger still has plenty to offer.

"Franck is a guy who is very strong mentally," Alaba was quoted as saying by Bild.

"I am not too worried about him. He wants to make his comeback as soon as possible and is working hard to achieve that.

"Bayern still need Ribery. Franck can become very important for us once more."

Alaba, 23, was briefly linked with a move to Real Madrid earlier this year, but he has made it clear that he is not thinking about a transfer.

"I don't let any transfer rumours distract me. Last season in particular I was only thinking about getting fully match fit again after my knee injury. I have not even thought about any enquiries or approaches.

"I still have plenty of goals with Bayern. I am not thinking about a transfer at all."

 

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Henry: Pedro will thrive at Chelsea

Thierry Henry has hailed Pedro as the perfect professional and expects his former Barcelona team-mate to flourish in the Premier League as he is set to complete his move to Chelsea.

Manchester United were initially leading the race to sign Pedro, but Chelsea have now emerged as favourites to land the 28-year-old.

Since breaking into the Barcelona team in the 2007-08 season, Pedro has won 20 trophies for the Catalan giants - including five Liga titles and the Champions League three times.

Henry was his team-mate for three of those seasons and the former France striker believes the wideman will be ideally suited to English football whoever he opts to sign for.

"The perfect team-mate, the perfect professional - he is that guy," Henry told Sky Sports.

"He pressures from the front, but he's also the player that any manager would love to have. You know what you're going to get with Pedro, always 100 per cent.

"He can adapt to the English system, he won't have to learn, he will understand staying wide, putting pressure and all that type of thing from the front and the first time I saw him he was already on point.

"I think he can be a success. It depends on how the team is going to gel, and how he has to adapt to the Premier League. But he is definitely a great team-mate to have, he's won everything in the game."

Barcelona granted Pedro permission to skip Thursday's training session in order to resolve his future.

 

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Song return 'could be crucial' for West Ham - Bilic

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic is relishing the arrival of Alex Song as the midfielder closes in on a return to Upton Park.

Hammers co-chairman David Sullivan on Wednesday revealed that Song is on the verge of a permament transfer, with the Barcelona midfielder due to undergo a medical before the deal can be completed.

Bilic backs the former Arsenal man to make his presence in the London club's midfield felt once again after impressing during a loan spell last season.

"You've seen the chairman's statement on Alex Song and we've agreed the terms. Now it's subject to the medical." he told reporters.

"We are really confident that he will pass that and everyone agrees, football people across the country, that he was brilliant last year.

"If we can get him playing like that across the whole season, he could be crucial."

 

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Catania relegated following match-fixing scandal

Catania have been relegated to Lega Pro and given a 12-point deduction for their part in a match-fixing scandal.

The verdict, which was revealed on Thursday following a trial at the National Federal Court, relates to the 'Goals Train' scandal which centred on the fixing of matches in Serie B last season.

Former president Antonino Pulvirenti admitted in June to buying matches in order to save the club from relegation.

Italian police detained Pulvirenti and others in relation to suspected "sporting fraud" during the 2014-15 campaign, with games alleged to have been fixed to ensure Catania avoided successive relegations.

Catania - who have also been fined €150,000 - finished 15th in the second tier, two points clear of being involved in the play-off matches and five off automatic relegation.

Lega Pro sides Teramo and Savona, meanwhile, have been relegated to Serie D and fined €30,000, and a number of individuals involved in the saga also face heavy sanctions.

 

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Pedro U-turn leaves Van Gaal & Man Utd embarrassed again

And then there were three. Hat-tricks against Barcelona are rarities but Manchester United have a treble of sorts involving the European champions.

For the third successive summer, their attempts to sign a player from the Nou Camp have come to naught. Indeed, on each occasion, a United manager has remained unconvinced of the merits of one who has shown his class in Catalonia. First it was Thiago Alcantara, who headed to Bayern Munich as David Moyes dithered. Then, in 2014, Moyes’ target Cesc Fabregas went to Chelsea as Louis van Gaal opted not to bid for the midfielder.

Now Pedro seems set to follow suit. United’s interest in the winger has ended. The decision, once again, was Van Gaal’s. United knew of the £22 million release clause in Pedro’s Barcelona contract. The fact that, in weeks of weighing up whether to sign him, they never opted to activate it, is a sign that Van Gaal continued to harbour reservations; ones which, evidently, Jose Mourinho does not share about a World Cup winner with 22 major pieces of silverware and 99 Barcelona goals to his name.

Whenever United miss out on a player, as they often have done in the last three years, the natural impulse of many has been to blame Ed Woodward. Yet if United have made a mistake this time, it is the manager’s, not the executive vice-chairman’s. And certainly there is a risk attached for United.

An enemy is strengthened while United retain the same personnel in a department of the side where there is a need for greater firepower. Clubs should never buy a player simply to stop a rival purchasing him but the worst-case scenario for United is that Pedro powers Chelsea to the title. Van Gaal cuts a decisive figure but took a month to make his mind up about a triple Champions League winner. Mourinho has acted more swiftly.

Van Gaal admitted last week that he liked Pedro and believed the Spaniard had the qualities, of speed and creativity, which he has argued they require since Angel Di Maria was sold. Now the argument has changed. Now the case is that Memphis Depay, whose arrival was arranged three months before Di Maria’s departure, was his replacement. The Dutchman was a revelation against Club Brugge on Tuesday but the burden on younger shoulders has grown.

It is as well United have made a statement on the pitch this week. Others have been decisive off it. Manchester City are closing in on Nicolas Otamendi and while United face the reality they have failed to sign a centre-back this summer.

One who Van Gaal did definitely want, and bid €40 million for, has eluded his grasp. Sergio Ramos signed a new contract at the Bernabeu and, so far, United’s attempt to play hardball with Real Madrid over two players has backfired.

David de Gea is still at Old Trafford but as long as the Spaniard sits in the stands, United cannot benefit from the unsettled goalkeeper’s presence. The likelihood is that that their reigning Player of the Year will leave on a free transfer next summer and, rather than compromising on a smaller sum, United’s stance of demanding a world-record fee for a goalkeeper will end up costing them millions.

It leaves United in a strange position. Van Gaal has spent some £230 million in 15 months but United have not improved three key positions of the team. Sergio Romero’s dodgy distribution does not necessarily make him a poor stand-in for De Gea, but nor have there been enough indications he looks like a long-term first choice.
The notion that a defensive leader, a Ramos or a Mats Hummels, would be signed, has been shelved; Plan B incorporates the use of Chris Smalling and a reinvented Daley Blind at the heart of the defence. The only specialist centre-back Van Gaal has bought, Marcos Rojo, now looks a back-up.

In attack, meanwhile, Wayne Rooney reigns unchallenged while Van Gaal has not bought an alternative. Radamel Falcao may be a busted flush, but the sale of Robin van Persie deprived United of a forward who, even after successive underwhelming seasons, nonetheless scored 58 goals in three years on their books. He has not been replaced.

A manager who invariably talks of “balance” may not have a balanced squad. A chief executive who excels at balancing the books is seeing his manager choosing not to spend much of the money he generates and not to recruit footballers with stardust United want. Woodward had indicated that United had another £150 million transfer budget this summer. There is a very real possibility that United will not sign anyone else and their outlay only stands at £78 million. They have recouped £55 million of that in sales.

The resident Galactico, Di Maria, beat at a hasty exit as United made a £15 million loss on him. Old Trafford still does not look the destination of choice for superstars, Bastian Schweinsteiger apart. There are reasons to believe each of their four main buys – Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger and Depay – will prove astute acquisitions, but the problem is what United have not done. They have not made the giant stride forward their budget allowed them to.

They do not have a team that looks like the finished article. And they do not have Pedro, a finisher who should add goals to Chelsea.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United supporter hands Van Gaal detailed 'fan's perspective' on transfers

Manchester United might have just seen their pursuit of Barcelona star Pedro hijacked by Chelsea but the Red Devils need not fear - one of their fans has a comprehensive plan to get the team in top shape.

With United training at their Carrington base on Thursday, local supporter Hesham Bilal-Hafiz dropped by to watch the players arrive and just so happened to have a detailed sheet of formations and transfer strategies with him.

When manager Louis van Gaal stopped for autographs, he was handed the sheet and "took it with good humour".

The document carries suggested first-choice line-ups and potential targets for recruitment on the wing (after Pedro's shift towards the Blues) and at centre-back, where Hesham believes that a new partner for Chris Smalling is needed.

Among the recommended signings are defenders Aymeric Laporte and John Stones as well as "marquee" forwards Antoine Griezmann, Thomas Muller and Marco Reus.

Reaction to the suggestions have been mixed but their author insists that it was "a tongue-in-cheek gesture" and that Van Gaal received it as such.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Meka thamai mageth hope 1kaapita Hoda Striker kenek,Winger kenek & CB kenek

Karume kiyanne LVG ge respose 1ka madi 1kane

Pedro & Otamendi nathi karagattha​

 

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OFFICIAL: Manchester City sign Otamendi

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of centre-back Nicolas Otamendi from Valencia on a five-year deal.

The Argentina international, previously targeted by Manchester United, moves to the Etihad Stadium for a fee in the region of €45 million (£31.7m) having successfully completed a medical and penned personal terms.

The 27-year-old excelled in La Liga last season and will now compete with former Porto partner Eliaquim Mangala for a starting role alongside skipper Vincent Kompany.

Otamendi is already targeting silverware with City, who have made a storming start to the new Premier League season, while manager Manuel Pellegrini has backed him to be a huge success.

"I am here to give my best, to fight game by game and push City to the highest peaks for as long as possible, and I wish we will be able to win several cups and titles," Otamendi told the club's official website.

"That's the most important [thing]. To be here inside a club that looks so wonderful from the outside is a dream."

Pellegrini added: "Nicolas Otamendi was arguably the best defender in La Liga last season and so naturally I’m delighted to have added a player of his quality.

"He is an established international for one of the best nations in world football and I have no doubt that he has the right mentality to fit into a squad where he will find many familiar faces, including Eliaquim and Fernando who he played alongside in Portugal.

"As a footballer, Nicolas has all of the qualities to be a success in the Premier League – he's strong, he's excellent in the tackle and he's very good technically.

"I am sure he will become another Argentine player our fans will enjoy watching."

Otamendi becomes the sixth Argentine in City's squad, joining the likes of Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta, and will be hoping to continue the form that saw him help Valencia to a fourth place finish and Champions League qualification last season.

 

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Congratulations Otamendi

Pattama defender kenekCITY backline 1kanam dan pattama patta

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OFFICIAL: Chelsea complete Pedro signing

Chelsea have completed the signing of Barcelona forward Pedro in a deal worth €30 million, both clubs have confirmed.

The Spain international was allowed to miss training on Thursday to finalise the move, flying into London to undergo a medical after Chelsea hijacked Manchester United's bid to sign him at the 11th hour.

"I am very happy to be here," Pedro told the Blues' official website. "I am very excited to start my adventure at Chelsea and I am here to keep winning titles.

"Thanks to the club and the supporters for giving me the opportunity to put the blue shirt on."

A Barcelona statement read: "FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Pedro Rodriguez for 30 million euros, of which 3 million are dependent on performance.

"The club wishes to publicly express its gratitude to Pedro Rodriguez for his professionalism and dedication while with the club, as well as to wish him all the best in the future."

Pedro leaves Barcelona having scored 99 goals in 326 appearances in all competitions and won 22 trophies, including five La Liga titles and three Champions League triumphs.

The 28-year-old remains well liked at Camp Nou but the big-money arrivals of Neymar and Luis Suarez in the past two seasons relegated him to the fringes of the team, and he started just 15 league games last season.

Disillusionment at his situation prompted Pedro to seek a move away from Catalonia and United came tantalisingly close to striking an agreement to sign the Spain international.

But the Red Devils' unwillingness to match Barca's asking price - coupled with conversations Pedro held with countrymen Victor Valdes and Cesc Fabregas - steered him towards Stamford Bridge once Chelsea made their late approach.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Pedro!

Hodama sign 1kak Chelsea lata​