Transfer news: João Pedro attracts Barcelona interest as summer move edges closer

João Pedro has told his agents he would welcome a move to Barcelona, should their interest turn concrete, according to journalist Simon Phillips. The 24-year-old Brazilian, who joined Chelsea from Brighton in the summer of 2025, has settled into life at Stamford Bridge with impressive conviction.

He scored 20 goals and provided nine assists across 49 appearances in all competitions during his debut season at the club. Those numbers caught Barcelona’s attention quickly, particularly as they face a significant void up front. Robert Lewandowski is leaving the Catalan club this summer, and Barcelona believe Pedro would serve as a fitting replacement for the veteran Pole.

Transfer news: Julián Álvarez remains the priority, Pedro the fallback

However, the situation shows a clear hierarchy. According to Italian journalist Matteo Moretto, Álvarez has been earmarked as Barcelona’s priority target for the summer, though a transfer fee exceeding €100 million, potentially reaching €150 million, remains an enormous obstacle, and the La Liga champions are not prepared to spend at that level.

Atlético Madrid are actively working to extend Álvarez’s contract. His family have settled well in Madrid, showing little desire to force a departure. As that door narrows, Barcelona sporting director Deco has held discussions with Pedro’s representatives over several weeks, with a potential fee of around €100 million communicated through Pedro’s agent to Chelsea.

Transfer news: Chelsea’s Champions League absence adds pressure

Chelsea’s absence from next season’s Champions League is considered a significant factor that could prompt Pedro to push for a departure and lead the club to sanction major sales to reduce wage costs. The forward is now expected to hold talks with the new Chelsea manager, Xabi Alonso, about his future.

What should Xabi Alonso do?

This situation places Alonso in an uncomfortable position before he has even managed a single competitive game at Stamford Bridge. Pedro is Chelsea’s most clinical forward, and selling him immediately would undermine the project Alonso is trying to build. So, Alonso should sit down with Pedro early, map out a genuine vision for next season, and make him feel central to it.

Chelsea missing the Champions League hurts, but Alonso’s own profile, his playing legacy and tactical reputation give the club enormous pull when it comes to keeping top players who trust ambitious coaches. If Pedro still signals genuine unhappiness after those conversations, then Chelsea should hold firm on a valuation of at least €100 million, refuse to negotiate downward, and use that fee to rebuild properly.

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Letting him leave on Barcelona’s terms, especially as a fallback option rather than a priority, would represent poor business. Alonso must treat this as his first major test of authority and handle it accordingly, firmly, clearly, and without hesitation.