Barcelona sporting director Deco has already held talks with representatives of Joao Pedro’s agency, but Chelsea are still not moving to sell the striker this summer. The latest round of Joao Pedro Chelsea Transfer Rumors centers on whether the Spanish club can turn interest into a deal before the window closes.
AS reported that Deco met on Thursday in London with the group handling Joao Pedro’s affairs, and the 24-year-old Brazilian is said to be keen on becoming a Barcelona player next season. That comes as Barcelona search for a possible successor to Robert Lewandowski, who is leaving the club this summer, and as Chelsea begin to plan for Xabi Alonso, who takes over on July 1.
The numbers help explain why Chelsea are resisting. The club signed Joao Pedro from Brighton for €65 million in the summer of 2025, and AS put his current market value at €75 million. Since then, he has scored 23 goals and provided nine assists in 52 matches in all competitions, including 15 goals and five assists in 30 starts and four substitute appearances this season. By that measure, he has been Chelsea’s best player this season, which makes any sale harder to justify.
Yet the reporting around his future is split. AS said Chelsea do not seem willing to let him leave just a year after bringing him in, but the same report also suggested Alonso could open the door if he does not want unhappy players in the squad. That creates a direct test for the new manager, who will not formally begin work until July 1.
Other reporting points the other way. Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsella wrote on X at 4:29pm on May 15 that Joao Pedro is considered not for sale and is understood to be happy at Chelsea, even if he is not satisfied with the team’s league position. Kinsella also said Barcelona may admire the forward but know he is not a viable target and have other strikers in mind. Fabrizio Romano has likewise said Chelsea have no plans to sell him to Barcelona this summer.
For now, the question is less whether Barcelona like Joao Pedro than whether they can change Chelsea’s mind. He has been productive, the club see him as a central player, and the new manager arrives with no obligation to keep anyone who is unhappy. If Barcelona keep pushing, the next move will likely come from the club that already has him under contract and not from the club that wants him.
