Report: Chelsea triggers buy-out clause in Pedro's Barcelona contract

Chelsea has hijacked Manchester United's move for Barcelona star Pedro after triggering the forward's £21.2-million buy-out clause.

The defending Premier League champions are expected to complete the signing within the coming days as Pedro is scheduled to be in London on Wednesday to complete a medical, according to Dominic Fifield of The Guardian.

The move appears to be inspired by Chelsea's poor start to the Premier League season as the west London club suffered its worst start to the season since 1998 with just one point through its first two matches.

Manchester United, who reportedly agreed to terms with the Spanish international Tuesday, reportedly withdrew its interest after Barcelona's refusal to lower its asking price for Pedro.

Manager Louis van Gaal also had a change of heart after determining Pedro wasn't a required addition following his team's string of positive performances, including a first-leg Champions League play-off win over Club Brugge.

Fifield reports that Chelsea were close to acquiring Pedro during the January transfer window until manager Jose Mourinho opted against the transfer because the 28-year-old was cup-tied and would be unable to help The Blues in the Champions League.

Pedro, who has reportedly been eager to move on from the Camp Nou after a decade at Barcelona, should ease in to the first team and provide an effective attacking option for a Chelsea team that's struggled to find goals in the early stages of the season.