Barcelona have seemingly shifted their focus away from Atletico Madrid’s forward, Atletico Madrid, Julian Alvarez, as acquiring him appears to be too challenging at this time. However, securing other options may not be straightforward either.
On Thursday, it was revealed that Chelsea’s Joao Pedro has emerged as Barcelona’s top target, with Director of Football Deco starting discussions for the Brazilian. Although he represents a different type of forward, Barcelona believes he can provide substantial value, especially since he would be less expensive than Alvarez.
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Chelsea to demand €100m for Joao Pedro
Reports from Catalan media suggest that Barcelona believes they can finalize a deal for around €70m, but Chelsea is unlikely to accept that offer, as reported by MD. The asking price for Pedro is likely to be closer to €100m, as Chelsea views him as one of their top performers.
Pedro made his move to Stamford Bridge last summer for €63.7m, so it’s understandable that Chelsea wants to secure a significant profit on the 24-year-old, especially since he is contracted until 2033. A key element will be Chelsea’s potential qualification for the Champions League next season. If they fail to secure a spot in Europe’s top tournament, it may necessitate sales to stabilize their finances and potentially motivate Pedro to seek a transfer.
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Should Barcelona spend €100m on Pedro?
A challenge for Barcelona lies in reports that they were ready to offer up to €100m for Alvarez, which suggests Chelsea may recognize that Barcelona is capable of exceeding their €70m proposal. While there is no doubt that Barcelona needs a striker for next season, investing €100m in Pedro, who is coming off his first Champions League season and has just eight caps for Brazil, might seem excessive.