Earlier in the summer, Joao Pedro was one of the hottest topics at Barcelona, as many believed he had been identified as the ideal alternative to Julian Alvarez.

But that option is no longer entertained at Barcelona, especially with Chelsea not too keen on parting ways with the Brazilian attacker, who was snubbed from the World Cup squad this summer.

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Chelsea do not want to sell Pedro

Joao Pedro has been quite successful at Chelsea. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

According to Diario SPORT, Chelsea have declared Joao Pedro untouchable and have no intention of listening to offers for the striker during this transfer window.

The London club place enormous faith in the Brazilian, viewing him as a key figure for both the present and the future of their project.

As a result, there is no appetite whatsoever at Stamford Bridge to open negotiations over his departure.

Chelsea paid Brighton €50 million to sign Joao Pedro in 2025, and his progress since has only reinforced their belief that he can be a difference-maker for years to come.

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New coach Xabi Alonso is also a firm admirer, considering the forward a complete and versatile attacker whose constant movement and adaptability across the front line fit perfectly with the style he wants to implement.

Deco running out of options

Pedro is no longer an option for Barcelona. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)

Chelsea’s stance represents another significant blow for Barcelona’s sporting management, and it comes at a difficult moment.

Deco has effectively lost two potential signings in the space of 24 hours. Just a day after Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin publicly declared Julian Alvarez non-transferable, the door on Joao Pedro has now been firmly shut too.

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Barcelona’s list of viable striker targets is growing shorter by the day. The club opted against renewing Robert Lewandowski’s contract, while Ferran Torres could yet depart for PSG in the final year of his deal.

That would leave Hansi Flick worryingly light in attack, placing even greater pressure on Deco to unearth a workable alternative before the window closes.

For now, though, Barcelona are still harbouring hope of signing Alvarez, but Joan Laporta himself has recently confirmed that the transfer saga cannot go on forever.