€75m valuation
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João Pedro has emerged as a potential transfer target for Barcelona this summer with their priority to add a world-class striker. Robert Lewandowski is expected to depart the Catalan club when his contract expires at the end of the season and Barca are evaluating their options in the transfer market. It’s understood that the Blaugrana’s first-choice option is Julián Alvarez but a deal for the Atlético Madrid star will be extremely complicated.
Ahead of their Champions League semi-final clash with Arsenal, Diego Simeone admitted that several clubs, including Barca, are interested in the Argentina international but it’s believed that Atletico want in excess of €120m. That price tag will prove prohibitive for the LaLiga champions with their financial constraints well-documented over recent years and they are analysing potential alternatives.
And according to Cadena SER, Pedro is highly-regarded by club chiefs and is viewed as the dream alternative to Alvarez. The problem for Barca is that it’s almost impossible to envisage Chelsea sanctioning his sale this summer, just one year after signing him from Brighton for €63.7 million. The 24-year-old has enjoyed an excellent maiden season at Stamford Bridge with 19 goals and nine assists in 46 appearances. It’s understood that Pedro is happy at Chelsea but the Blues will miss out on Champions League qualification this season, which could force them to cash in on one of their prized assets – Pedro is valued at €75m on Transfermarkt.
