Chelsea tell Barcelona 20-goal forward is ‘untouchable’, no room for negotiation – Romano | OneFootball

Chelsea have firmly shut the door on any potential summer exit for star forward Joao Pedro, delivering an uncompromising message to Barcelona that the player is completely unavailable for a transfer, reports Fabrizio Romano.

The Stamford Bridge hierarchy has formally made it clear that they have zero intention to negotiate, discuss, or even speak about the forward, rendering any approach from the Catalan giants dead on arrival.

Joao Pedro ‘untouchable’

Chelsea senior figures view Pedro as a foundational pillar and an irreplaceable part of the club’s long-term project.

Not for sale. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

The club consider the player completely ‘untouchable’, meaning that no financial offer, regardless of the size, would be enough to convince them to sanction a sale this summer.

The club’s fierce determination to keep the forward stems from his spectacular debut campaign in London.

Following a high-profile transfer, the Brazilian Pedro has been an exceptional bright spark for the Blues, heavily carrying the frontline to comprehensively secure Chelsea’s individual player of the season honors.

Pedro accumulated 50 total appearances across all competitions, scoring 20 goals in the process, along with nine assists.

Barcelona exploring other options

Barcelona’s new target. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Having set sights on Pedro as an alternative for Julian Alvarez, Barcelona have come to realise that a move for the Chelsea striker now seems impossible, given the Blues’ stance.

As such, the La Liga champions have already moved on to a new target in the form of Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United, with talks advancing between the two clubs.

A move for the England international could cost around £75 million as per reports in England.