Barcelona Transfer News: Pedro Stands by Chelsea Move, Alexandre Pato Rumours

Contrary to recent reports, Chelsea signing Pedro does not regret moving to Stamford Bridge over the summer. Elsewhere, Barcelona are being linked with a move to sign former Milan starlet Alexandre Pato.

Pedro signed a five-year contract with the Blues in August and has every intention of sticking with the west Londoners despite their recent slump in form, according to Luis F. Rojo of Spanish newspaper Marca.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

That conflicts with an earlier claim by Spanish website Fichajes.com (h/t Eurosport), which stated the winger was "open to a return" to the Camp Nou as soon as possible.

Chelsea currently sit 15th in the Premier League and already look out of the race to defend their title, but Pedro was quoted by the Daily Star last week giving manager Jose Mourinho his stamp of approval (via Goal's Stefan Coerts):

"

He's a very good manager, the best we can have to lift us out of this situation. He gives confidence to the players, talks a lot. That’s important for the team and for the feelings of the players. 

He wants me to give attacking depth to the team, to try and help out with defensive work as well and, to get better with confidence and take the game forward.

"

Pedro moved to west London with the knowledge first-team opportunities had become sparse in Catalonia, and the January arrivals of Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal were only likely to make that competition more fierce.

The Spain international started brightly in England but has dropped off along with the rest of his team-mates. However, Spanish football writer Rafael Hernandez says it's impossible to the players in west London Chelsea:

One would be inclined to agree given the likes of Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, Nemanja Matic and Diego Costa are all regarded as world-class players, who may yet be capable of recapturing their top form this term.

Matilde Campodonico/Associated Press

Meanwhile, Albert Masnou of Catalan newspaper Sport has linked Corinthians striker Pato—currently on loan with Sao Paulo—as one of "up to 20" attacking targets in Barcelona's sights this January.

Ex-Rossoneri forward Pato has been associated with a return to Europe in the past few weeks and Sky Sports' South American correspondent Paulo Freitas detailed just how broad the links have been of late:

Barcelona will be free to register new players once again in January after seeing their transfer embargo finally come to its end, per BBC Sport.

The aforementioned signings of Turan and Vidal will provide additions out wide, but manager Luis Enrique is seeking a player who would have an impact not unlike that of Henrik Larsson in 2004, according to Rojo.

Andre Penner/Associated Press

Pato has been rejuvenated since moving back to his native Brazil, scoring 15 goals across all competitions this season and leading Sao Paulo to the semi-finals of the Copa do Brasil, where they lost to Santos.

There was once so much expected of the attacker during his days at the San Siro, but at the age of 26, there's still plenty of time for Pato to realise his potential, and Barca may be willing to invest in that risk.