Joao Pedro’s agent has arrived in London for talks with Chelsea with Barcelona eager to sign the Brazil star this summer.
The former Brighton star has emerged as a leading target for the Spanish champions who are looking to sign a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski up top.
Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez was thought to be their preferred target with the Argentina international also admired by Arsenal. But Paris Saint-Germain are now eager to sign the former Manchester City star.
Pedro has enjoyed a superb first season in west London, scoring 20 goals following a £60milliion move last summer.
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But reports in Spain have claimed the 24-year-old would be open to a summer move to the Camp Nou with Chelsea said be demanding a fee of at least €100m.
Barcelona reportedly made contact with Pedro last month with Mundo Deportivo reporting the striker’s agent arrived in London on Friday – on the eve of the Blues’ FA Cup final showdown against Manchester City.
His agent is in town to watch today’s final at Wembley but the report states his intention is to meet with Chelsea to discuss their plans for Pedro. He also plans to meet Barcelona’s sporting director Deco in the coming days to discuss a possible move.
Chelsea can salvage their season somewhat by lifting the FA Cup this afternoon and are thought to be closing in on Xabi Alonso as their new head coach.
But no European football could be an issue with Jamie Carragher recently suggesting some of their key stars will consider moving on.
‘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.’
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