Joao Pedro would ‘welcome the opportunity’ to join Barcelona from Chelsea, according to reports in Spain. Barcelona have expressed interest in signing the Brazilian as they look for Robert Lewandowski’s replacement at the Nou Camp.
Lewandowski’s Departure Looms
Legendary striker Lewandowski, 37, has spent four successful years at Barcelona, scoring 119 goals in all competitions, but is expected to leave when his contract expires next month. Barcelona have been heavily linked with a move for Julian Alvarez, but it remains to be seen whether they can strike a deal with La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid. Nou Camp bosses are also aware of interest from Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Barcelona Turn to Pedro
As a result, the La Liga champions have turned to Chelsea’s No. 9 Pedro in recent weeks and are lining up a move ahead of the summer transfer window. Signed from Brighton last summer, Pedro was expected to compete with fellow summer signing Liam Delap for a place in the Chelsea team. However, the Brazilian quickly established himself as Chelsea’s first-choice striker, enjoying a promising first season at Stamford Bridge in which he has scored 23 goals in all competitions.
Pedro has arguably been Chelsea’s best player this season and continued to impress during the dismal run towards the end of Liam Rosenior’s tenure. The 24-year-old is aware of interest from Barcelona and would be open to a summer move to the Nou Camp, according to Mundo Deportivo. It is claimed Pedro has always had a ‘soft spot’ for Barcelona, having grown up watching compatriots such as Ronaldinho and Neymar thrive for the Spanish giants.
Champions League Ambition
Pedro is keen to have another season playing in the Champions League, but that will not be on offer at Chelsea, who have slipped to ninth in the Premier League and gone seven games without a win. Mundo Deportivo say Chelsea ‘won’t make it easy’ for Barcelona, however, and would seek a fee of at least 100 million euros (£87m) to part ways with the Brazilian.
Barcelona are believed to have first contacted Pedro last month, but at that time he was focused on the end of the season and securing his place in Brazil’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.
Carragher’s Warning
Earlier in the season, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher named Pedro as one of several Chelsea players who could move on this summer given the issues at Stamford Bridge. ‘Chelsea were always winning, they were always in finals and collecting trophies,’ Carragher told The Overlap. ‘Now it’s about building… building for what? This generation of fans expect to win. They are not into this building for the future.
‘I can’t believe the Enzo Fernandez stuff. I think Chelsea have got five or six really brilliant players, really good. Reece James, Moises Caicedo, Fernandez, Cole Palmer, Pedro up front. But eventually they will go, “what the f**k is this, I should be playing for a team going for the Champions League”. You can’t keep building.’
FA Cup Final Opportunity
Chelsea do have the chance to partly salvage a dismal season this weekend when they face Manchester City in the FA Cup final. Calum McFarlane’s side beat Leeds United in the semi-finals, while Manchester City booked their place in yet another final with a comeback win over Southampton.
