Chelsea move to secure Joao Pedro amid reported Barcelona interest | OneFootball

With only around three weeks left till the start of the 2026-27 season, FC Barcelona have still not been able to achieve their most important task of this summer transfer window, i.e., the signing of a striker to replace Robert Lewandowski.

The Blaugranes have made the Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez their highest-priority target for this role, but getting him from his current club is getting increasingly difficult. As things stand, the Catalans are reportedly waiting for the player to make another public statement about his desire to leave the Colchonero club before they make another move for him.

While this operation drags on and the summer transfer window progresses, Barcelona are seeing their other options for this position also getting out of reach. For instance, Eli Junior Kroupi recently suffered a serious injury, which rules him out as a target this summer.

Now, Mundo Deportivo cites The Athletic to report that another target might be slipping out of their hands, as Chelsea have offered a new contract to their star forward Joao Pedro. The player already had a contract till 2032 in place, and thus, the Blues were not under any pressure to offer this new contract.

However, they were concerned about the reports of interest from sides like Arsenal and Barcelona in a player whom they are looking to make one of the cornerstones of their team going forward.

The Brazilian joined the London club from Brighton & Hove Albion only last summer, and during his first season, scored 20 goals and provided 6 assists in 50 appearances. Last summer, he was key to Chelsea’s FIFA Club World Cup triumph, and this summer he has again impressed with his performances in some friendlies.

Joao Pedro has little reason to leave Chelsea, especially after this latest gesture shown by the Premier League side. Thus, Barcelona will have to ensure they land Julian Alvarez in the coming weeks or look for other alternatives to fill in the void left by Lewandowski’s departure.