Chelsea have no intention of selling forward Joao Pedro to Barcelona this summer despite the Spanish club identifying the 24-year-old as a primary alternative to Julian Alvarez. According to reports from Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona sporting director Deco is a long-term admirer of the Brazilian, but Chelsea view the player as a non-negotiable part of their squad structure. Simultaneously, Chelsea's search for attacking reinforcements has led them to Brentford striker Igor Thiago, though the West London neighbours have reportedly established a €90 million (£77m) valuation to discourage Premier League interest.
Chelsea stance on Joao Pedro and Barcelona interest
Barcelona’s interest in Joao Pedro is driven by Deco, who has tracked the forward since his tenure at Brighton & Hove Albion. Reports in Spain, via SPORT, suggest Deco believes Pedro possesses the technical profile required to succeed at the Camp Nou as a long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski. The Brazilian has reportedly discussed life in Catalonia with international teammate Raphinha, yet Chelsea remain firm. Having paid approximately £60m to sign him in 2025, the Chelsea board considers the forward central to their project. Speaking on the Daily Briefing, Romano noted that sanctioned a sale now "would send the wrong message" during a period of managerial transition, especially as the club seeks stability under the BlueCo ownership model.
Brentford demand premium for Igor Thiago
To bolster their front line following the underwhelming impact of summer signing Liam Delap, Chelsea have enquired about Brentford’s Igor Thiago. The 24-year-old striker has enjoyed a prolific 2025/26 campaign, netting 22 Premier League goals, which has also drawn interest from Manchester United and Tottenham. According to Portuguese journalist Felipe Silva, Brentford have responded by setting an internal valuation of €90m. This price tag reflects a significant premium on the €33m Brentford paid Club Brugge for Thiago in 2024. For Chelsea, meeting this valuation would require careful navigation of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), particularly as the club continues to monitor high-value outgoings to balance the books for the 2026 financial year.
Negotiations for Thiago are expected to remain complex until Brentford’s valuation aligns with the market, while Pedro remains under a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge.