Barcelona shortlist 24-year-old Chelsea forward alongside Julian Alvarez for ‘9’ role

The middle-forward place is without doubt one of the areas that FC Barcelona should make some selections about within the coming few weeks. For starters, they should determine whether or not they wish to proceed with Robert Lewandowskiwho has only some weeks left on his contract.

In the meantime, the Catalans may also should determine upon another in case the Pole leaves, and on this regard, they’ve already completed some work. In actual fact, they’ve some high-profile names of their checklist, with the Atletico Madrid ahead Julian Alvarez being the favourite for this function.

Nonetheless, his state of affairs is difficult by a really excessive valuation from Atletico, who aren’t anticipated to barter simply and would solely take into account a sale for a significant payment.

Alongside him, one other title has firmly entered Barcelona’s radar. Joao Pedro of Chelsea is now seen as a severe various reasonably than a secondary possibility. Based on SPORTeach he and Alvarez are at present the popular profiles throughout the sporting construction led by Deco.

The Brazilian has loved a robust season in England, standing out in an in any other case inconsistent Chelsea facet. He has registered 20 objectives and 9 assists, together with 15 within the Premier League and is at present centered on serving to his crew win the FA Cup remaining towards Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis.

One side that provides him a bonus over Alvarez is that he wouldn’t price as a lot because the Argentine. The Brazilian is prone to price between €80-100 million, whereas Atletico Madrid worth their star at €150 million, and wouldn’t permit him to depart for lower than €100 million.

Contacts have already been made with the participant’s entourage, with Deco monitoring his state of affairs carefully for a number of months. Barcelona view him as a participant who may adapt shortly to the membership’s surroundings each in sporting and industrial phrases, one thing Chelsea can not totally maximise in the identical approach.

For now, each choices stay firmly open. Alvarez provides a extra established however costly answer, whereas Joao Pedro presents a rising profile with robust upside and a extra manageable monetary construction.

The choice is predicted to take time, with the ultimate end result doubtless relying on market situations and broader squad planning going into the summer time window.