FC Barcelona are casting a wider net in their pursuit of attacking reinforcements this summer, with Chelsea’s Joao Pedro emerging as a credible alternative to their primary targets, Victor Osimhen and Julian Alvarez, according to Cadena SER.
The urgency stems from the anticipated departure of Robert Lewandowski, the 38-year-old Polish striker expected to leave the club at the end of the current season. With replacements of the calibre of Galatasaray’s Osimhen and Atletico Madrid’s Alvarez likely to command significant transfer fees and attracting interest from multiple clubs, Barcelona have begun identifying backup options.
Cadena SER presenter Sique Rodriguez named Joao Pedro as one of those contingencies. “Joao Pedro is a clear alternative to Julian Alvarez,” Rodriguez stated. “He is a player that Barca likes a lot. He is not the only one.”
The 24-year-old Brazilian joined Chelsea from Brighton last summer in a deal worth £60 million and has settled quickly into life at Stamford Bridge. Across 46 appearances in his debut Premier League season, Pedro has registered 19 goals — a return that has drawn attention beyond west London. He featured again last weekend as Chelsea defeated Leeds United 1-0 to secure a place in the FA Cup final.
While Pedro represents an emerging option, Osimhen remains at the centre of a competitive transfer battle. Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta travelled to Istanbul last weekend, attending the high-profile Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce as a guest of honour. During the visit, Berta held preliminary discussions with Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek regarding a potential move for the Nigerian international.
Osimhen underscored his value on the pitch that same day, opening the scoring as Galatasaray ran out 3-0 winners in the derby. The 27-year-old forward, who is contracted to the Turkish club until 2029, is expected to cost in excess of €120 million — a figure that places him among the most expensive potential signings in the upcoming window.
Osimhen’s path to Barcelona has been complicated. The forward previously had a loan spell at Galatasaray while under contract at Napoli, and his permanent move to the Istanbul club in January 2025 has only increased his market value following consistent performances in the Turkish Süper Lig and on the European stage.
Julian Alvarez, meanwhile, has been heavily linked with a departure from Atletico Madrid after joining the Spanish club from Manchester City in the summer of 2024 for a reported €75 million. The Argentine World Cup winner has attracted interest from several of Europe’s top clubs.
For Barcelona, the financial reality of pursuing multiple high-profile targets simultaneously has made squad planning a careful balancing act. The club has faced well-documented financial constraints in recent seasons, though improved revenues and LaLiga’s financial fair play regulations have gradually allowed greater spending flexibility.
If Joao Pedro does emerge as a serious target, Chelsea would be under no immediate obligation to sell, particularly with the forward contributing meaningfully to their domestic cup run. However, the summer window is likely to see significant movement across Europe’s top clubs as squads are reshaped ahead of the 2026-27 season.
