Barcelona identify £60m Chelsea star as ‘clear transfer alternative’ to Julian Alvarez

Barcelona will consider a move for Chelsea striker Joao Pedro if a deal to sign Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez does not materialise, according to reports in Spain.

The Catalan giants have made Alvarez first-choice transfer target to replace Robert Lewandowski, who is expected to leave the club at the end of the season.

Alavarez has scored 48 goals in 104 appearances for Atletico since signing in 2024, but his long-term future in Madrid appears in doubt, with Diego Simeone confirming several clubs are interested in the Argentine.

‘I just suppose it is normal, Simeone said on Tuesday. ‘He is an extraordinary player.

‘There is interest from Arsenal, Paris St Germain, Barcelona and other teams. But it is nothing we are concerned about.’

However, given the competition for Alvarez’s signature and potential fee involved, Barcelona have drawn up alternative options to bolster their front line in the summer.

And according to Cadena SER, Joao Pedro is a name under consideration by the current La Liga leaders.

‘Joao Pedro is a clear alternative to Julián Alvarez,’ presenter Sique Rodríguez said on Tuesday.

‘He is a player that Barca likes a lot. He is not the only one.’

The Brazilian forward has enjoyed a solid first season at Stamford Bridge since signing from Brighton for £60million last summer.

Joao Pedro has scored 19 goals in 46 appearances and impressed last weekend as the Blues punched their ticket to the FA Cup final with a 1-0 win over Leeds United.

Speaking earlier in the season, former Premier League striker Troy Deeney, who played alongside Joao Pedro at Watford, said the Brazilian could well end up attracting attention from the two biggest clubs in Spain.

‘If Chelsea start competing both in the Champions League and in the Premier League, he will be part of that vehicle,’ Deeney told talkSPORT.

‘When you look at the Brazilian national team, it’s not as strong as some of the teams we’ve seen over the years so he will look at that and say ‘Yes I can do that (get in the team)’.

‘I think if he does well for two years there, Real Madrid and Barcelona will come knocking and Chelsea have a model of buying young and selling on for more than what they paid for.’

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