Over the past few days, the Spanish media have repeatedly covered Barcelona’s interest in Chelsea‘s João Pedro.
On May 6th, Sport Witness relayed news of Barcelona identifying the striker as the main alternative to Atlético Madrid’s Julián Alvarez.
Last week, Barcelona sporting director Deco met the Chelsea player’s agent in London.
On Monday, we covered claims that new Blues manager Xabi Alonso could sanction the 24-year-old’s sale in the summer.
The Brazil international joined the Premier League side from Brighton & Hove Albion in June and has managed 20 goals and nine assists from 49 matches in his debut season.
Barcelona keen on Chelsea star
The striker is on the front page of today’s Sport, with ‘clear way for João Pedro’ written in bold.
Despite his impressive form for Chelsea, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti left him out of the squad for the World Cup. With this, Sport state the ‘entire scenario surrounding the striker changes radically’.
Barca have held talks with the player’s agent to express interest and also find out his willingness to join them.
Barcelona didn’t finalise personal terms during these meetings as the deal is still in the early stages.
Initially, the Club World Cup winners’ intention was to not sell him until the World Cup. This was part of their financial strategy and not Xabi Alonso’s sporting wish. The Blues were hoping for his price, currently between €80-100m, to improve at the World Cup, but their ‘negotiation strategy fell apart’ with his omission.
Therefore, Sport state: ‘The negotiating conditions will be different from what they were just two days ago. From now on, nothing prevents Barcelona, should they decide to do so, from approaching Chelsea. The player’s value will remain unchanged, as he begins his vacation this coming Sunday.’
Chelsea player No.1 target
Wednesday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo have a report titled: ‘João Pedro already knows he’s Barca’s No.1’.
Deco and his agent have been in talks since the first meeting in April. During the meeting last Thursday in London, the striker realised he has better chances of joining Hansi Flick’s side. He will inform Chelsea of Barcelona’s interest and his desire to join them.
Sources told the newspaper the fee would be around €100m. The Blues won’t make it easy, but the player can use their failure to qualify for the Champions League to request for a move.
Contract, value and agent info
João Pedro signed a contract at Stamford Bridge until 2033 and Transfermarkt value him at €75m.
Agency Promanager, headed by agent Frederico Moraes, are representing the Chelsea star.
Xabi Alonso’s side will have the final say on whether or not to sell him in the upcoming window.