Ernesto Valverde addresses Pedro return rumours

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has described Pedro as "a historic player" for the Catalan giants when questioned on a potential move for the Spaniard.

The 32-year-old will see his contract with Chelsea expire at the end of the 2019-20 campaign, and the attacker has said that he is 'hopeful' of securing a return to Camp Nou.

Pedro scored 99 times in 321 appearances for Barca between 2008 and 2015, winning five La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns during his time at the club.

Valverde stopped short of confirming or denying a swoop for the experienced winger, but the club's head coach certainly left the door open for a potential return next summer.

"He is a historic player at this club," Marca quotes Valverde as saying. "He is one of the players here with the most club titles. He is at another club and we have to respect him. We will see what the future holds."

Pedro has only scored once in nine outings for Frank Lampard's side this season having struggled to earn regular minutes.