Just in – Barcelona eye €75m-rated Chelsea forward as Plan B if Julian Alvarez move fails | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have their sights firmly fixed on Atletico Madrid superstar Julian Alvarez heading into the summer transfer window.

The Blaugrana intend to sign a new centre-forward to bolster their attacking unit and see the Argentine international as the ideal target.

However, signing the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner will be anything but easy, given Atletico Madrid’s reluctance to sell and the finances that would be involved in any potential deal.

Joao Pedro emerges as an alternative

As such, Sique Rodriguez on Cadena SER now claims that Barcelona have identified Chelsea forward Joao Pedro as an alternative option if a move for Alvarez does not materialise.

Pedro, 24, joined Chelsea last summer in a deal worth over €60 million and has had a solid debut campaign at Stamford Bridge despite the team’s woeful run.

Barcelona’s Plan B. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

So far, the Brazilian attacker has recorded 19 goals and nine assists from 49 matches across all competitions for the Blues this season.

Within Barcelona, there is a belief that Pedro offers a more affordable profile than Alvarez while providing versatility, creativity, and finishing suited to Hansi Flick’s style.

The striker, who has eight caps for the Brazilian national team, has a contract at Chelsea until 2033.

But considering the way the Premier League club have operated in the market in recent years, a sale cannot be ruled out, especially with a new manager set to take over the team.

For now, Pedro is on Barcelona’s radar, merely as a backup option, with Alvarez continuing to be the absolute priority for the La Liga champions.

*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication.