Chelsea transfer news and rumours: Pedro set for exit; Alexandro Pato close to £7m move; Romelu Lukaku oversight

Spain winger Pedro wants to leave Chelsea in a last ditch attempt to rescue his career, after a torrid start to life in English football, according to the Daily Star. The 28-year-old signed from Barcelona last summer for £21m but has been unable to prevent a worrying slide in fortunes at the London club. He has scored just three goals in 24 games and was hauled off at half-time by interim boss Guus Hiddink after gifting West Bromwich Albion a goal in the 2-2 Premier League draw at Stamford Bridge last week.

The Dutchman, however, is believed to be keen on keeping Pedro on his books in the capital but the club's hierarchy, the report says, have other ideas. Valencia and Villarreal have shown an interest in the Spaniard in the past and may be tempted to try their luck this January if such rumours persist.

Chelsea are hopeful of completing a cut-price deal for Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato in the coming days, according to several reports this morning. The 26-year-old is expected to sign a three-year deal at Stamford Bridge after the Blues agreed a fee in the region of £7m with Corinthians. The Daily Mail suggest former AC Milan forward Pato is desperate to secure a return to European football - and is prepared to take a pay-cut in order to do so.

Hiddink has prioritised a new striker this January as Diego Costa struggles to find his form of old while Loic Remy is continually linked with a move away. Chelsea held talks with Pato's representatives and Corinthians on Tuesday night with Marina Granovskaia - club director and adviser to owner Roman Abramovich – said to be instrumental in negotiations. If the terms can be finalised, the deal should go through before the end of the week – possibly in time for the trip to Arsenal.

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Blues target Saido Berahino remains in the dark about his West Bromwich Albion future amid further interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Stoke City. The 22-year-old allegedly wants to leave the Hawthorns but is facing an uphill battle to persuade the West Midlands club to allow it. Spurs appeared the favourites to sign Berahino last summer but a disagreement between the two chairmen scuppered the deal.

Newcastle, eying a striker to spearhead their relegation battle, now appear to have stolen a march on their rivals, but the Blues are monitoring the situation. The Baggies, according to the Daily Mirror, would prefer to do business with either Chelsea or Newcastle to avoid sending their prized asset to White Hart Lane. Despite the former England under-21s star having just 18 months left on his contract, West Brom are determined to remain in charge of the situation and have shown their willingness to turn down big-money offers in the past.

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If Romelu Lukaku, linked with a £50m move to Manchester United, leaves Everton next summer, Chelsea will be entitled to nothing after failing to agree a sell-on clause for the Belgian. The Times report this morning that the 22-year-old, whom the Toffees value at £60m, is free to move in future without worrying about a chunk of his transfer fee going back to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues hierarchy will come under intense scrutiny over the decision not to invest in the future when they sold Lukaku two years ago. According to the report, the Londoners made the same mistake with Kevin De Bruyne’s 2014 switch to Wolsfburg – losing out on a part of the £55m paid for the forward by Manchester City last summer. Themove to let the pair leave Stamford Bridge is believed to have been a contributing factor behind the decision to sack Jose Mourinho last month.