Fabrizio Romano confirms Chelsea’s Joao Pedro transfer decision
12 May 2026 10:53 BST |
4 min read
Chelsea have no intention of selling Joao Pedro to Barcelona this summer, as confirmed by football transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano.
The Brazil international has enjoyed a stellar debut season at Stamford Bridge, despite the club’s struggles, and his form has attracted significant interest from Hansi Flick’s side, who are keen to sign a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
Pedro has scored 23 goals and provided nine assists in 51 games since his arrival at Chelsea last July and Barcelona have earmarked him as a possible alternative to their top striker target Julian Alvarez.
However, the 24-year-old’s contract in west London isn’t due to expire until 2033 and given his importance to the Blues, the club have absolutely no intention of sanctioning a sale.
This has now been confirmed by Romano, who told his YouTube channel: “The appreciation from Deco for Joao Pedro is already there since he was at Brighton. Barcelona really like him, they consider him as a fantastic striker, but Chelsea are absolutely considering Pedro as a crucial part of the project.
“After a tough season, to sell probably the only player who has performed in a top, top way, that would be complicated.
“At the moment, the Joao Pedro story is considered really, really complicated. The appreciation from Barcelona is confirmed, but it’s really complicated with Chelsea.”
Verdict: Chelsea to keep Joao Pedro
Due to his contractual situation, Chelsea have no incentive to sell Pedro and with no suggestion that he wants to leave, despite the likelihood of no Champions League football next season, the Brazilian will remain at Stamford Bridge in 2026-27.
Keeping him at the club is vitally important for Chelsea too, with his understudy Lia Delap struggling immensely since his arrival from Ipswich Town last summer.
The Englishman has been tipped to depart the club ahead of next season, but he is reportedly keen to prove himself at Stamford Bridge, which could prompt Chelsea to sell Nicolas Jackson on a permanent deal instead.
That would leave Pedro, Delap, Marc Guiu and imminent new arrival Emmanuel Emegha as the only senior striker options at the club, and losing the Brazilian would therefore be catastrophic given the unproven nature of Chelsea’s other three options.
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