Chelsea Transfer News: Pedro and Giannelli Imbula Wanted, Jese Rodriguez Latest

Chelsea are ready to launch a £22 million bid for Barcelona forward Pedro, according to El Mundo Deportivo (h/t The Telegraph).

Boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly also eyeing a dip into the Spanish market for Real Madrid's Jese Rodriguez, a player he coached during his tenure at the Bernabeu.

Pedro has become an unneeded star at Camp Nou due to the dominance of attacking trio Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez. Few players would be able to break up this trident, so Pedro's career has slowed across the past season.

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The 27-year-old has remained productive, however. Pedro has five goals and five assists in 1,291 minutes of Primera Liga football this season, per WhoScored.com. A telling contribution every 129 minutes ensures there will likely be major interest in him if he becomes available.

He would be a quality signing for Chelsea—Pedro has won it all, both internationally and at club level—but he'd by no means be guaranteed a place over Eden Hazard, Willian and Juan Cuadrado in west London.

Ancelotti: 'Jese is Staying'

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The same can be said of Jese, whom AS (h/t George Bellshaw of Metro) has linked with Chelsea. Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has suggested he doesn't want the player to leave in search of greater playing time, reported by Marca.

"I speak to Jese the same as I do with everybody," said Ancelotti. "I understand he wants to play more, but he has to be ready as his chance could come just as it has for Chicharito. Jese is staying because he is an important player."

Jese's impact has lessened since returning from serious injury.

At 22 years old, he needs to be playing regular football to realise his tremendous potential. He's been available since the turn of 2015 but managed just one start in that time, recorded by WhoScored. When you look at Hazard winning this year's PFA Player of the Year award at 24, Jese's need for playing time becomes even more clear.

Chelsea to Make Imbula Offer?

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Mourinho is reportedly lining up a £20 million bid for Marseille youngster Giannelli Imbula, reported by Mike McGrath of The Sun. Imbula is a hard-working defensive midfielder who keeps play moving with smart passes. He also offers a turn of quality with the ball at his feet, per WhoScored:

Although Chelsea have the dominant Nemanja Matic working along the halfway line, Imbula's arrival could stop Mourinho having to deploy Kurt Zouma alongside him when he wants to keep things especially tight.

Zouma's best position remains centre-back, although his versatility is likely to prove vital for Chelsea in the coming years.

Mourinho's side are closing in on the Premier League title. The Portuguese boss can begin to contemplate his summer recruits with the knowledge he can entice them with the trophy. Chelsea look set for an era of success, but that won't stop Mourinho improving his squad at every possible opportunity.