Joao Pedro told to leave Chelsea: ‘I would do everything to complete this transfer’
8 May 2026 12:59 BST |
4 min read
Former Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has urged Joao Pedro to complete a move to Barcelona this summer amid rumoured interest from Hansi Flick’s side.
The Brazil international has been a rare bright spark in a dismal campaign for Chelsea, scoring 23 goals in 50 games since arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion last July, and he has emerged as an alternative target to Julian Alvarez for the Blaugrana.
Barcelona are actively searching for a new centre forward due to the uncertain future of Robert Lewandowski and they have been heavily linked with a move for Pedro in recent weeks after being informed that Alvarez will cost in excess of €120 million.
Football transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Chelsea have no intention of selling Pedro this summer and the 24-year-old is yet to display any interest in leaving Stamford Bridge after just one season.
However, the Blues are expected to miss out on Champions League qualification this season after six consecutive defeats in the Premier League and they are on course for a second bottom-half finish of the BlueCo era unless they are able to improve their current form significantly.
Pedro still has seven years remaining on his current contract with the west London giants and although his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €76m, it would likely take a far larger fee to even tempt Chelsea into transfer negotiations this summer.
Despite this, Wright-Phillips, who made 125 appearances for Chelsea across a three-year spell at the club from 2005 to 2008, believes Pedro should push to complete a move to Barcelona when the 2026 summer transfer window opens.
Joao Pedro receives official Barcelona transfer verdict
Speaking to Brazilian outlet Somos Fanaticos (via The Evening Standard), Wright-Phillips admitted: “I believe it would be fantastic for Joao if he were to go. Personally, given the way Chelsea has been run, if I were him, I would do everything to complete this transfer.
“Playing at Camp Nou, alongside Raphinha and (Lamine) Yamal, would be great for him. He would score many goals, since we have already seen what he did in a team that wasn’t as good as this Chelsea team.
“If I were Joao Pedro, I would want to play in the Champions League, and I can’t see Chelsea qualifying for any European competition. Joao has the level and deserves to be playing in the Champions League.”
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