Barcelona shortlist 24-year-old Chelsea forward alongside Julian Alvarez for ‘9’ role | OneFootball

The center-forward position is one of the areas that FC Barcelona will have to make some decisions about in the coming few weeks. For starters, they will have to decide whether they want to continue with Robert Lewandowski, who has only a few weeks left on his contract.

Meanwhile, the Catalans will also have to decide upon an alternative in case the Pole leaves, and in this regard, they have already done some work. In fact, they have some high-profile names in their list, with the Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez being the favorite for this role.

However, his situation is complicated by a very high valuation from Atletico, who are not expected to negotiate easily and would only consider a sale for a major fee.

Alongside him, another name has firmly entered Barcelona’s radar. Joao Pedro of Chelsea is now seen as a serious alternative rather than a secondary option. According to SPORT, both he and Alvarez are currently the preferred profiles within the sporting structure led by Deco.

The Brazilian has enjoyed a strong season in England, standing out in an otherwise inconsistent Chelsea side. He has registered 20 goals and nine assists, including 15 in the Premier League and is currently focused on helping his team win the FA Cup final against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

One aspect that gives him an advantage over Alvarez is that he would not cost as much as the Argentine. The Brazilian is likely to cost between €80-100 million, while Atletico Madrid value their star at €150 million, and would not allow him to leave for less than €100 million.

Contacts have already been made with the player’s entourage, with Deco monitoring his situation closely for several months. Barcelona view him as a player who could adapt quickly to the club’s environment both in sporting and commercial terms, something Chelsea cannot fully maximise in the same way.

For now, both options remain firmly open. Alvarez offers a more established but expensive solution, while Joao Pedro presents a rising profile with strong upside and a more manageable financial structure.

The decision is expected to take time, with the final outcome likely depending on market conditions and broader squad planning going into the summer window.