Barcelona are making a bold move in the summer transfer window, with Director of Football Deco jetting off to London to secure a deal for Chelsea's in-form forward, Joao Pedro. The Brazilian star has emerged as the club's top target to fill the coveted number nine role, and Deco isn't wasting any time in turning that ambition into reality.
While Pedro is currently focused on helping Chelsea secure a Champions League spot in their final two Premier League matches, Barcelona's front office is already working behind the scenes. After deciding that a move for Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez would be too complicated, Deco has zeroed in on Pedro as a more viable—and potentially equally explosive—option.
Reports suggest Barcelona believe they can strike a deal in the region of €70 million, but Chelsea are playing hardball. Sources in London indicate the Blues will demand at least €100 million for their prized asset. That's a significant gap, but Deco's trip signals Barcelona's serious intent to bridge it.
According to both MD and Sport, Deco arrived in London on Friday for face-to-face meetings with Pedro's agent and Chelsea officials. The director has been in regular contact with the player's representative for weeks, but this in-person visit is designed to gauge Chelsea's stance directly. The timing is no coincidence—Pedro's agent is already in town for Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City, making this the perfect moment for high-stakes negotiations.
Pedro isn't the only name on Barcelona's radar. Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez has resurfaced as a potential target, while Alvarez remains a distant possibility. But among the three, Pedro offers a unique blend of youth and potential. At 22, he's the youngest of the trio, though he lacks the top-flight pedigree of Martinez or Alvarez. Still, his playing style draws comparisons to Barcelona's current star, Robert Lewandowski, making him an intriguing fit for the Catalan giants' system.
As the summer window heats up, all eyes are on London this weekend. Will Deco return with a deal in hand, or will Chelsea's price tag prove too steep? One thing's for sure: Barcelona are in the market for a statement signing, and Joao Pedro could be that man.