Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Mauro Icardi and Pedro Rumours

Chelsea have reportedly emerged as front-runners to sign Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi this summer ahead of Premier League rivals Arsenal. Elsewhere, Pedro is said to be seeking a Stamford Bridge exit.

According to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Joe Short of the Daily Express), Icardi's wife and agent, Wanda Nara, was due to meet with Napoli sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli on Wednesday.

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Icardi and Nara have flirted with the idea of leaving the San Siro this summer, but Napoli could be a logical next destination after Gonzalo Higuain moved to Juventus in a £75 million deal.

It's also mentioned Icardi was "unhappy" with Roberto Mancini's departure from the Inter helm on Monday, and the Nerazzurri will be eager to retain such a crucial scoring talisman, per OptaPaolo:

Arsenal are also mentioned as being interested in the Argentinian, but it's Chelsea who are now said to be favourites among bookmakers as head coach Antonio Conte looks to improve his strike force.

New Inter head coach Frank de Boer is unsurprisingly looking to do his best to ensure Icardi remains at the San Siro, and Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol provided quotes from the new Nerazzurri boss:

According to Short, Inter want "at least £30 million" for their star striker, and the Blues have already invested £33 million in the services of Michy Batshuayi, who arrived from Olympique de Marseille in July.

There's also the fact that Diego Costa remains a figure at Stamford Bridge, and even after a disappointing 2015-16 campaign, the Spain striker will be seeking assurances that may not be met if Icardi arrives at the club.

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Elsewhere, Spanish daily Sport (h/t Sport Witness' Lucas Sposito) reported that former Barcelona winger Pedro is seeking a return to La Liga, just a year after he ended his 11-year stay at the Camp Nou to move to west London.

The 29-year-old "doesn't think he'll be a starter" under Conte, and Football Espana writer Colin Millar voiced his belief that a return to his native Spain could be good for the player:

Conte will have Juan Cuadrado back among his ranks after the player enjoyed a season-long loan with Juventus, and the Colombian could claim Pedro's place in the squad.

Chelsea may be willing to sell a veteran who contributed fairly little compared to expectations, but it's unlikely the Blues will be content selling themselves short on Pedro's departure.