Barcelona have consistently been linked with a move for Chelsea striker Joao Pedro, but that interest was intensified following the end of the Premier League season on Sunday.
On Tuesday, it emerged that Deco had travelled to England in an attempt to thrash out a deal for Pedro. He was accompanied by Bojan and a Barcelona scout, but Chelsea’s stance on Pedro has stayed the same.
What is a fair price for Joao Pedro? 🔮
He cost £60m a year ago…
Chelsea are desperate to keep hold of Pedro and have made it clear to Deco and Barcelona that he is not for sale. It comes after a stunning first season in Chelsea blue, in which he scored 23 goals in 53 games.
Bought for £60m, there were murmurs in Spanish media that Chelsea would request around £86m for him. But the majority of the links between Barcelona and Pedro had come from sources in Spain.
Kieran Gill reiterates Chelsea stance amid Joao Pedro reports
Even if Chelsea had refused a sale, Barcelona might have been tempted to test their resolve after Chelsea failed to qualify for any European competition. The Blues are lacking a financial injection from UEFA.
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But Chelsea are desperate not to sell him, allowing Xabi Alonso to work with the Brazil star. Amid all the noise from Spanish media regarding Pedro and Barcelona, Kieran Gill provided an update on his X.
The Chelsea-reporting journalist said: “To reiterate – Chelsea’s stance is that Joao Pedro is not for sale, they are not placing a valuation on him, and told the player himself is happy at Chelsea.”
Pedro is staying, but what about Chelsea’s other strikers?
With a contract until the summer of 2033, Pedro was always set to remain at Stamford Bridge. Even if Chelsea could do with a cash influx after missing out on Europe, he is deemed completely untouchable.
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But there is more doubt regarding Chelsea’s other strikers. Marc Guiu hardly got a sniff last season and he could be sent on loan or even sold. Then there is Liam Delap, who scored just one Premier League goal.
Delap has failed to adapt at Chelsea, having been the main man at Ipswich. That bit-part role has left him devoid of confidence and unable to make an impact. The chances are that Delap is sold in the summer.
Nicolas Jackson is returning. Despite spending 2025-26 out on loan, there is more chance that Jackson is part of Chelsea’s squad next season than Delap. Pedro is staying, but the competition could be different.
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