NEW: Striker completes medical ahead of £55 million move to Chelsea
Chelsea travel to Philadelphia to face Palmeiras in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday morning.
The Blues will meet the Brazilian side at The Lincoln Financial Field, with a place in the last four at stake.
Last time out Enzo Maresca’s side defeated Benfica 4-1 after extra-time, in a game that finished more than four hours after it started due to a weather delay in North Carolina.
With both Manchester City and Inter Milan having been knocked out of the competition at the last 16 stage, Chelsea will now be favourites to reach the final on their side of the draw.
Away from the action, the West London side appear to be closing in on yet another signing.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Brighton and Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro has completed a medical ahead of a proposed move to Stamford Bridge.
The journalist claims that the Brazilian has completed the tests in the US and will now sign a long-term contract with the Blues.
Chelsea are set to pay an initial fee of £55 million plus a potential £5 million in further add-ons, Romano claims.
Pedro, 23, joined the Seagulls from Watford in 2023 and has since scored 30 goals in 70 games for the south coast club.
Last season he netted ten times in 27 Premier League games for Brighton, as they briefly challenged for European qualification.
The striker is set to sign a contract that will run until 2032, Romano claims, and the player will also join up with Maresca’s squad for the remainder of the Club World Cup.
Pedro will Chelsea’s fourth signing of the summer so far, following the arrivals of Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr.
The Brazil international will compete with the likes of Delap, Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku for a starting spot in Maresca’s side.