Chelsea have no intention of selling forward Joao Pedro during the upcoming summer transfer window, despite growing interest from Barcelona, according to reliable reports.
Chelsea Tell Barcelona: Joao Pedro Is Not for Sale
The Brazilian joined Chelsea from Brighton last year in a £60 million deal and has quickly established himself as a key player at Stamford Bridge.
He has scored 19 goals in all competitions during his impressive first season with the club.
Barcelona have made Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez their primary attacking target for the summer.
The Spanish champions need a new striker because Robert Lewandowski’s contract expires at the end of the season.
However, Atletico hold a strong negotiating position. Alvarez still has four years left on his contract, which includes a €500 million (£431m) release clause.
This difficult situation has forced Barcelona to explore alternative options, and Joao Pedro now features on their shortlist.
According to ESPN Brasil, Barcelona have already initiated informal contact with the Brazil international’s representatives ahead of the summer window.
Both Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco have approved a potential move for the Chelsea attacker.
But Chelsea have responded firmly. The club has communicated through third parties that they will not allow a transfer this summer.
Chelsea recognise the difficulty of finding a suitable replacement for Pedro, and they do not want to weaken their squad.
The 23-year-old forward still has the chance to win his second trophy with Chelsea this season. The team already claimed the World Club Cup success earlier in the summer.
Now they face Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 16, where Pedro will look to add another medal to his collection.
For now, Chelsea fans can rest assured that their star Brazilian forward will remain at the club beyond the summer window.
