Barcelona has suffered a fresh setback in its pursuit of a new striker during the summer transfer window. Renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Brazilian forward Joao Pedro is not a realistic option for the Catalan club if their pursuit of Argentine star Julian Alvarez fails.
Atletico Madrid Rejects €100m Barcelona Bid for Julian Alvarez
Barcelona has placed Julian Alvarez at the top of their wishlist to reinforce the center-forward position. However, the deal remains highly complex due to Atletico Madrid’s firm stance. The Madrid club insists on keeping the Argentine international and refuses to open negotiations, despite a substantial €100 million offer from Barcelona. This deadlock has forced the Catalan sporting directorate to evaluate other alternatives.
Joao Pedro’s name emerged as a potential target following his standout performances last season with Chelsea and previously with Brighton. However, Romano confirmed that Chelsea is fully determined to keep the player, declaring him “not for sale” this summer.
Joao Pedro’s Stellar Season with Chelsea
Joao Pedro joined Chelsea from Brighton in the summer of 2025 for a reported fee of £60 million, including add-ons. He quickly established himself as a key attacking component for the London club.
The Brazilian striker enjoyed a phenomenal debut season at Stamford Bridge, scoring 20 goals across all competitions, including 15 in the Premier League.
Barcelona’s Other Striker Targets
With Joao Pedro officially ruled out, Barcelona continues to explore other marquee options for the number nine role. Over recent weeks, the club has been linked with several top-tier forwards, most notably:
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Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
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Dusan Vlahovic (Serbia)
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Alexander Sorloth (Norway)
