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Xabi Alonso handed major Chelsea boost after €80m transfer agreement

Updated: 28 May 2026 10:30 BST | 4 min read

Xabi Alonso, Chelsea

Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Chelsea could be set to lose a number of key players during the upcoming summer transfer window, but Xabi Alonso has been handed a major boost following confirmation that Barcelona have agreed an €80 million deal for Anthony Gordon.

Hansi Flick’s side burst into the race to sign the Newcastle United forward earlier this week, and they have beaten fellow suitors Arsenal and Bayern Munich to his signature after reaching a full agreement to bring him to Camp Nou this summer" href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2026/05/fc-barcelona-anthony-gordon-bid-newcastle" target="_blank">they have beaten fellow suitors Arsenal and Bayern Munich to his signature after reaching a full agreement to bring him to Camp Nou this summer.

Gordon will formalise the final details of the move and undergo a medical at Barcelona before linking up with his England team-mates ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where he is expected to play a crucial role under Thomas Tuchel.

The 25-year-old scored 17 goals and provided five assists in 46 appearances during the 2025-26 campaign, and rumours in the Spanish media suggest that he is set to play a back-up role to first-choice left winger Raphinha at Barcelona next season.

However, Gordon has also played as a centre forward on a fairly frequent basis in his senior career, and there is a chance that he could be deployed through the middle by Flick next year following Robert Lewandowski’s departure.

Barcelona have well-documented financial issues and they may be unable to fund a move for a stellar striker after agreeing to pay €80m for Gordon. A deal could still be finalised, however it seems fairly unlikely that a centre forward will arrive for a transfer fee in excess of €120m unless a major sale is sanctioned.

Therefore, Chelsea may be able to breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to Joao Pedro.

Joao Pedro, Chelsea

Chelsea handed major Joao Pedro boost

Pedro has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona in recent weeks and speculation of a bombshell Camp Nou switch has intensified following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, with Chelsea missing out on European football entirely after a dismal domestic campaign.

The Blues have moved quickly to appoint Alonso as their new manager in a bid to improve their fortunes next term, but several key stars have still been tipped to depart, including Enzo Fernandez, who wants to leave the club before the start of the 2026-27 season" href="https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/transfer-news/uk-premier-league/2026/05/chelsea-transfer-news-enzo-fernandez-real-madrid-talks-opened" target="_blank">including Enzo Fernandez, who wants to leave the club before the start of the 2026-27 season.

Pedro is another player who has been linked with the exit door, although widespread reports have confirmed that Chelsea have no intention of selling the Brazil forward, who scored 20 goals across all competitions during his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.

Furthermore, with Gordon set to join Barcelona for €80m, it seems unlikely that Pedro will follow him to Camp Nou, meaning Alonso will be able to work with arguably Chelsea’s most important player next season.