The revelation that Barcelona forward Pedro will join Chelsea has shocked Manchester United supporters.
It had looked for all the world that the Spaniard would sign for Man United but the club reportedly dropped their interest on Wednesday.
Instead, Pedro will make the move to Stamford Bridge for a reported fee of around £21m.
Following weeks of reports suggesting Pedro would go to United instead, the news came as a shock to fans:
@PeoplesPerson_ Griezmann £57m release clause.
— Louis Gibzen (@Gibzen) August 19, 2015
@PeoplesPerson_ Reus, Isco, Griezmann or lewandowski would be nice
— avadhoot kuchibhatla (@iamkuchibhatla) August 19, 2015
@PeoplesPerson_ Realistically very few. Muller is probably the best shout, but I’d want him at striker. Would be a very versatile buy still
— Matt Rowson (@MattRowson_) August 19, 2015
@PeoplesPerson_ Griezmann has a buyout clause, Anderson and maybe Draxler?
— United View (@United_Ridley) August 19, 2015
@Daniel_Onas I’d be happy if we put trust in Memphis, Januzaj & Pereira (Young, Mata, Lingard, Valencia also still options) @PeoplesPerson_
— Bob Salcher (@B0B_S) August 19, 2015
@PeoplesPerson_ andreas pereira should be ready for 1st team action
— bayu wicak (@bayuwicak14) August 19, 2015
@PeoplesPerson_ You can expect anything as we have seen in the past transfer windows. #MUFC
— MUFChuman (@MrSperman) August 19, 2015
Getting a quality alternative to Pedro this late in the transfer window will take some doing.
Numerous reports on Tuesday night suggested United have made a fresh €85m bid for Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller but it is highly unlikely that the German will leave.
Unless United have a sensational deal lined up, it looks like they will have to make do with their current options. Louis van Gaal will at least be encouraged by Memphis Depay’s sensational performance against Club Brugge in the Champions League.