Barcelona look desperate to sign Joao Pedro from Chelsea in the upcoming transfer window.
It was recently reported that Barcelona’s sporting director Deco was in London to hold talks about signing Pedro.
However, Chelsea’s current stance is that the forward is not for sale this summer.
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Barcelona willing to offer players to Chelsea for Joao Pedro
According to the reliable Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona are so desperate to bring Pedro to the Camp Nou that they are prepared to offer Chelsea players in exchange.
The Blues, though, are extremely reluctant to do any kind of deal with the La Liga champions.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “My understanding is that the answer from Chelsea since day zero of this story has always been Joao Pedro is not leaving.
“So Chelsea are not playing the game to get more money. It’s not about 100m, 200m, 150 or maybe including players, because Barcelona, from what I understand, were also open to include players in the deal.”
Chelsea’s desire to keep hold of Pedro comes as no surprise. The 25-year-old has been their best player this term, winning the club’s Player of the Season award.
In total, he has scored 20 goals in 50 appearances, striking 15 times in the Premier League.
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Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea have shown interest in several Barcelona players in the past
If Chelsea do change their mind, there are a few Barcelona players they are likely to accept as part of the deal for Pedro.
The Blues are long-term admirers of Jules Kounde, failing to sign the defender in 2022. Last month, it was claimed that Chelsea are once again interested in Kounde, so that is one name Barcelona could include in a player-plus-cash deal.
In the past, Chelsea have also been linked with another Barcelona defender, Ronald Araujo. Last summer, their interest in Fermin Lopez was well-documented as well.
After failing to qualify for the Champions League, though, Chelsea would probably prefer a straight sale if they become more open to the idea of allowing Pedro to join Barcelona. For now, the former Conference League holders seem firmly against that, meaning Hansi Flick is going to have to look elsewhere.
Chelsea risk becoming a selling club if they allow both Pedro and Enzo Fernandez, two of their best players, to leave in the same transfer window.
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