Chelsea face an unwelcome transfer saga just as they prepare for a new era under Xabi Alonso, with star striker Joao Pedro reportedly keen on a move to Barcelona despite the club’s firm stance that he is not for sale.
The 24-year-old Brazilian has been the standout performer for Chelsea this season, delivering 15 goals and five assists in 34 appearances (30 starts). Since arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2025 for €65 million, he has scored 23 goals and provided nine assists across 52 matches in all competitions, establishing himself as the club’s most reliable attacking threat.
According to Spanish outlet AS, Barcelona sporting director Deco held talks in London this week with representatives of the agency handling Joao Pedro’s affairs. The Catalan club, who will need a new striker after the departure of Robert Lewandowski this summer, view the Brazilian as an ideal replacement. AS claims Joao Pedro is “keen” to join Barcelona in a potential €75 million deal, matching his current market valuation.
The report adds a layer of tension by noting that new Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso — who will officially begin his role on July 1 — might be open to allowing the player to leave if he is unhappy, drawing from Alonso’s experiences with unsettled players during his time at Real Madrid.
However, leading English and European sources paint a significantly different picture. BBC Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsella reported that Joao Pedro is not only considered unsellable by Chelsea but is also genuinely happy at the club, despite their disappointing league position. Kinsella emphasised the striker’s long-standing admiration for the Premier League and Chelsea specifically, describing it as “a dream” for the player who previously played for Watford.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reinforced this position on his YouTube channel, acknowledging Barcelona’s interest and contacts with people close to the player — partly due to complications in their pursuit of other targets like Julian Alvarez — but stressing Chelsea’s unequivocal stance.
“Chelsea want Joao Pedro to be an important part of the squad, not just for the present but also for the future,” Romano said. “They want him to be a crucial part under Xabi Alonso. They believe that Joao can be fantastic under Alonso, as he already was this season in a complicated campaign. They can imagine Joao can do even better with him, and so that’s Chelsea’s position. They absolutely want Joao Pedro to stay.”
The conflicting reports leave Chelsea supporters in a state of uncertainty. On one hand, the AS story suggests potential friction and an ambitious Barcelona move that could test Chelsea’s resolve early in Alonso’s tenure. On the other, the accounts from Romano and the BBC indicate that the club views Joao Pedro as a cornerstone of their project — a player they are determined to build around rather than cash in on after just one season.
With Alonso arriving to implement his tactical vision, retaining a proven goalscorer like Joao Pedro could prove vital for Chelsea’s hopes of mounting a serious challenge next season. Whether the Brazilian’s reported desire to move to Camp Nou gains momentum or remains a non-starter will be one of the key storylines of the summer transfer window.