Chelsea’s stance on Joao Pedro has not changed, and yet, Barcelona are pushing hard to sign the striker, with Deco landing in London to discuss a move. Xabi Alonso has responded.
Pedro finished the season as Chelsea’s top scorer and Player of the Season. A brief glimmer of light in what has been a very dark season, with Chelsea failing to qualify for any European competition at all.
Joao Pedro is the CLOSEST Chelsea have had to Didier Drogba since he left… 👀
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Without the lure of European football, players are likely to keep their options open if Champions League clubs do come calling. To those in the elite competition, Chelsea will feel like a squad that can be plucked.
Barcelona have already been linked with a handful of Chelsea players. Pedro Neto, Marc Cucurella and even defender Wesley Fofana. But Pedro is a top target for Deco and now, he is making his move.
Deco travels to London as Alonso schedules Pedro meeting
Barcelona’s sporting director is former Chelsea midfielder Deco and he is behind Barcelona’s move to sign Pedro this summer. Chelsea’s stance is clear, they are not willing to sell Pedro no matter what the price.
Yet, Barcelona are clearly getting some encouragement from somewhere in their pursuit of the former Brighton and Watford ace. According to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, Deco has flown into London.
The former Portugal midfielder has travelled alongside football co-ordinator Bojan and scout Joao Amoral ahead of convincing Pedro’s representatives of a move to Stamford Bridge. Romero works for Jijantes.
João Pedro of Brazil
Photo by Sathire Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
“Deco, in London, to advance the signing of Joao Pedro. The sporting director has gone with Bojan and Joao Amaral, Barça scout, to closely follow the operation for the Brazilian striker.”
Then on Tuesday morning, it was claimed that Alonso has responded by ordering a showdown meeting with Pedro. Another Spanish reporter, this time Jose Alvarez, says Alonso will meet with his striker.
“Barça is working on the two forwards they love: Julián and Joao Pedro. Joao Pedro wants to play for Barça and has a meeting pending with Xabi. Chelsea for now is not listening to offers,” Alvarez said.
What Xabi Alonso has said, and the problem Chelsea have
Chelsea will not want to lose Pedro and when quizzed about the striker’s future – alongside Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez’s next move – Alonso kept his cards close to his chest. Obviously, he wants him to stay.
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Players of Chelsea form a huddle
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
But Chelsea do have a problem, even if Pedro has a contract at Chelsea until the summer of 2033, having signed an eight-year deal in 2025. There is a need to sell after missing out on the Champions League.
Or, European football for any matter. Not only will Pedro have the lure of playing for Barcelona at his fingertips, but it also allows Pedro to remain in the Champions League with a real chance of winning it.
Failure to be called-up by Carlo Ancelotti for the Brazil squad will strengthen his desire to leave. In a Barcelona shirt, scoring the goals he did for Chelsea, it will be impossible for Ancelotti to overlook him.
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