Abramovich SANCTIONS €75m RECORD Breaking Deal For Chelsea, Betfair Slashes Odds Of Star Joining

Wow, Chelsea fans would have to thank Manchester City for that 3-0 drubbing last Sunday at the Etihad, as the Premier League champions have sprung to transfer actions since Sunday, bringing in left-back Baba Rahman from Augsburg and hijacking Pedro Rodriguez’s move to Manchester United in a matter of hours. As per Telegraph, a combo of boss Jose Mourinho, director Marina Granovskaia, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro’s girlfriend Daniella Semaan made the Spaniard do a U-turn on a move to United to sign for Chelsea, thereby sensationally gazumping the Old Trafford club.

Although the Baba deal has been on for some time, but Pedro was signed from under United’s noses as Louis van Gaal side were reluctant to match Barcelona’s €30m valuation of the Spaniard. Reports have it that Chelsea owner has sanctioned the acquisition of at least three new players – a defender, a midfielder and an attacker. It is assumed the attacker is Pedro, and the defender; Baba.

Chelsea fans would be contenting themselves for the time being with the arrival of Pedro, but they are about to be sent into a frenzy once more.

It appears as though Chelsea do not want to take things for granted, and really want to defend their Premier League crown this season, with reports flying around that the Blues have made inquiries for Juventus powerhouse Paul Pogba. A certain transfer specialist [@mohd_tagaya] who broke the Pedro to Chelsea news first claimed last night that Jose Mourinho wants to use Juventus’ interest in Juan Cuadrado to his advantage and lure Pogba to Stamford Bridge.

Pogba – who left United on a free transfer in 2012 – is one of the hottest stars in world football despite being 22, and his impressive performances for Juventus have alerted almost all of Europe top clubs.

The Serie A champions want Dortmund’s Mkhitaryan and Schalke’s Julian Draxler, but because they are seeming difficult to get Juventus have turned their attentions to Cuadrado who has not really had any impact at Stamford Bridge since joining in the January transfer window.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have been declared favourites to sign Pogba, and Daily Star says a flurry of bets was made on the 22-year old powerful midfielder joining Chelsea immediately after the Blues announced Pedro’s arrival.

Bookmakers Betfair have now slashed the odds on Pogba joining the Blues. The betting company have cut Chelsea from 7/1 to 6/4 favourites to sign Pogba before the summer transfer window shuts in 12 days’ time.

Michael Bowers, football manager for Betfair, said (via Telegraph): “After a flood of bets on Chelsea to sign Paul Pogba, the Blues have been cut from 7/1 to 6/4 favourite.

“This market has attracted a huge amount of attention in recent weeks, with all the momentum behind Barcelona and Man City to win the race for the player’s signature.”

Pogba has won a number of individual awards, notable among them being the Golden Boy award picked up by the France international midfielder in 2013 as well as the 2014 FIFA World Cup Best Young Player.

The Frenchman has been pivotal to Juventus’ success in recent seasons, helping the Turin outfit to three back-to-back titles and also getting to the final of the Champions League – in which they eventually lost to a Messi-led Barcelona team – last season.

Chelsea’s next game takes them to the Hawthorns as they tackle West Bromwich Albion in a tie which the Blues – who will be boosted by the arrival of Pedro – would be aiming for all three points.