Chelsea have drawn a firm line under any potential departure of João Pedro this summer, rebuffing reported interest from Barcelona and making clear the Brazilian forward is not part of any transfer discussions, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The 24-year-old has established himself as one of the more consistent performers at Stamford Bridge during what has been a turbulent season for the club. Across all competitions, João Pedro has contributed 20 goals and nine assists in 47 appearances — figures that have reinforced the hierarchy’s conviction that he remains central to the project being built under BlueCo ownership.
João Pedro moved to Chelsea from Brighton in 2025 in a deal worth £60 million. His contract at Stamford Bridge runs until 2033, giving the west London club considerable leverage in any potential negotiations — leverage they have no intention of using to facilitate a sale.
Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, was unequivocal about Chelsea’s position. “For Chelsea, he’s an absolutely crucial player. Losing João Pedro this summer is not part of the club’s plans,” the Italian journalist stated.
Barcelona’s interest in João Pedro is understood to stem in part from uncertainty surrounding veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, whose future at the Camp Nou remains unclear. The Catalan club’s sporting director Deco is reportedly a long-standing admirer of the Brazilian, having monitored his development during his time at Brighton. Despite that sustained interest, Chelsea’s stance has not shifted.
The situation reflects the broader approach of BlueCo, the ownership consortium led by Todd Boehly, which has made a series of significant long-term investments in young talent since taking control of the club in 2022. Retaining key assets on extended contracts has been a recurring feature of that strategy, and João Pedro’s deal until 2033 is consistent with that model.
For Barcelona, the rejection narrows their attacking reinforcement options ahead of the summer window. Deco will likely need to identify alternative targets as the club navigates financial constraints that have periodically limited their transfer activity in recent seasons.
With the 2025-26 season approaching its conclusion, Chelsea’s insistence on keeping João Pedro signals their ambitions for the campaign ahead, even as questions persist about the club’s overall trajectory following another inconsistent domestic term.
