Chelsea: Agent reveals reason for Blues beating Manchester United to Pedro signing

Pedro Rodriguez's agent Antonio Sanz has revealed that Chelsea's speed of negotiations was what led to them beating Manchester United for the Barcelona star.

The Blues unveiled the Spanish international forward as their fifth summer signing on Thursday 20 August, despite the Daily Mail reporting that the United executive vice-chairman was in Barcelona finalising a deal for Pedro.

The Catalan giants had made it clear that any club wishing to sign the Spanish forward will have to meet his £21.2m ($33.2m) release-clause, which Chelsea reportedly triggered before signing him.

Louis van Gaal has since revealed that it was they who pulled out of the deal, but the player's agent has suggested otherwise, claiming that it was the Premier League champions' speed of negotiations that led to them winning the race for the player.

"It is well known that Manchester was in the race for Pedro but Chelsea were faster and in 24 hours they reached an agreement with the club," Sanz told Radio Club Tenerife, according to ESPN FC.

"It took them a little while longer [to reach the agreement with the agency] with us, but essentially it was as fast as a lightning bolt," he added.

"These are things you have to get done on the fly. The opportunity that was given to Chelsea was there to take advantage of."

The Barcelona star's representative is confident that the Spaniard will be a big success in England despite needing time to adapt to his new surroundings.

"Any change requires an adaptation period, but language would not be a problem because the language of football is universal."

"Pedro is going to shine this year and is going to be one of the biggest sensations in the Premier League," Sanz explained.