Barcelona have reportedly stepped up their interest in Chelsea striker Joao Pedro this summer, with the 24-year-old Brazilian viewed as the perfect long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski. Deco, the sporting director, has met with his representatives, as the Catalan giants are serious about signing the striker for the Camp Nou.
The interest from the Catalan capital is beyond doubt, but the financial reality is threatening to ruin the dream for Joan Laporta’s team. The Blaugrana are looking to spend a little over €100 million on reinforcements, with most of the money going on the number nine position.
Chelsea signed Joao Pedro from Brighton last July, and he is probably valued at €75 million at the moment. He scored 20 goals in all competitions with 15 in the Premier League in his maiden campaign at Stamford Bridge. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the Blues want to keep Pedro by all means.
This news makes Barca’s hunt for a striker a whole lot harder as their other top target, Julian Alvarez, is also not available, with Atletico Madrid unwilling to entertain offers. But getting back to La Liga’s 1:1 financial fair play ratio is still of utmost importance, and outbidding Chelsea for a player they see as untouchable seems like a herculean task for the Catalans.
Chelsea’s Hardline Stance Threatens to Doom Barcelona’s Joao Pedro Pursuit
Chelsea have just finished a season full of managerial changes. The arrival of Xabi Alonso to lead the new sporting project has breathed new life into the club, and Joao Pedro is seen as a key player in the club’s reconstruction. His impressive haul of league goals in his first season has made the Brazilian a non-negotiable asset for the London club despite incoming offers from Spain.
Even with the financial puzzle still a very tricky one for Barcelona, with the wage savings of Lewandowski’s expected departure. The Catalan giants have been over their salary limit for the last three years, but there is hope that this summer they could get back under it, unlocking their full spending capacity. But it is far from a given that the Spanish champions will hit that target before the window closes.
With Joao Pedro’s contract with Chelsea running until 2033 and the Blues unwilling to entertain any offers of sale, Deco may have to look towards more attainable targets in the coming weeks. Names like Harry Kane and Serhou Guirassy have been linked as cost-effective options, with the summer transfer window already proving to be a particularly difficult period for Barcelona’s recruitment plans going forward.