Chelsea are set to be without Pedro for the remainder of the season after the news the forward has agreed to sign for Roma on a free transfer this summer.
The Spain forward is out-of-contract at the end of the month and will leave Chelsea after five seasons, though the club had been waiting to hear if the 32-year-old would sign a short-term extension to remain with the west London side until the end of the rescheduled Premier League season.
According to the Telegraph, that is a scenario which now appears unlikely following the agreement of a two-year deal with Italian side Roma, the former Barcelona player unwilling to risk potentially jeopardising the move should he sustain an injury playing beyond his current contract.
Pedro’s current deal expires on June 30 and he would be able to play for Frank Lampard’s side in their opening fixtures against Aston Villa, Man City and the FA Cup tie with Leicester before the end of the month, whilst it is believed that Roma have placed no pressure on the player to refuse to play for Chelsea until the end of the season.
The Athletic are reporting that Pedro’s deal in the Italian capital is worth around £2.9m-per-year, and the Spaniard is unwilling to risk a move that is not only financially lucrative, but allows the star to continue playing at the highest level.
Lampard is also yet to hear on the immediate future of Willian with short-term extensions needing to be agreed by Tuesday, the Brazil international also expected to leave the club this summer and reportedly attracting interest from both Arsenal and Tottenham.
Chelsea have, however, been boosted by the news that impending summer signing Timo Werner is set to link up with the club earlier than expected, the Germany international set to withdraw from RB Leipzig’s Champions League campaign in order to prepare for his debut season in English football.
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