Barcelona Accelerates Pursuit of Joao Pedro After Robert Lewandowski Exit as Deco Makes Moves in London

The departure of Robert Lewandowski has forced Barcelona to rethink their attack, and Joao Pedro is already creating tension in England. Deco traveled to London while Chelsea remain determined not to lose one of their biggest stars.

Barcelona begin rebuilding after Lewandowski’s farewell

The departure of Robert Lewandowski does not only mark the end of an era at FC Barcelona, it also forces the club to make immediate decisions regarding the future of their attack. Just hours after the Polish striker’s exit became official, the name of Joao Pedro quickly started gaining momentum inside the club’s offices.

Deco traveled to London to closely monitor the Brazilian forward during the FA Cup final while also holding strategic meetings connected to Barcelona’s summer transfer plans. The sporting director’s presence immediately attracted attention, especially considering the delicate moment the club is facing offensively.

The Brazilian is coming off an impressive campaign with Chelsea, scoring 23 goals during his first season at Stamford Bridge after arriving from Brighton. At just 24 years old, he fits almost every characteristic Flick is looking for and that explains why Deco has already started making moves.

Joao Pedro perfectly fits Hansi Flick’s new vision

Inside Barcelona, there is a growing belief that the squad still needs to evolve if the club truly wants to compete with Europe’s elite again. Despite positive moments this season, many within the organization feel the team still lacks explosiveness and verticality in the final third.

The Brazilian also offers something extremely valuable in today’s market: room for growth. Barcelona cannot afford expensive mistakes due to their ongoing financial limitations, meaning every major signing must combine immediate impact with long-term potential. Joao Pedro appears to check both boxes, which is why he has rapidly climbed Deco’s shortlist ahead of the summer window.

Chelsea refuse to back down as price continues to rise

The biggest obstacle for Barcelona is simple: Chelsea have no intention of selling. According to reports from outlets including Daily Mail, the London club view Joao Pedro as a fundamental part of their long-term project and are not interested in opening negotiations anytime soon.

The Brazilian was one of the few bright spots during another turbulent campaign at Stamford Bridge, which is exactly why Chelsea see him as a future leader for the club’s next era.

Reports circulating in England suggest any potential deal could exceed $113 million, while some sources believe the price could even approach $116 million. For Barcelona, that creates an extremely difficult financial scenario given the club’s ongoing restrictions under La Liga’s financial regulations.

The Catalan giants know any major move will likely depend on player sales, salary reductions and creative financial structures. Still, Deco appears determined to keep Barcelona alive in the race before other European giants fully enter the picture.

Barcelona search for a new attacking leader

While the transfer market is only beginning to heat up, Barcelona already know they must identify a new offensive leader capable of guiding Flick’s project into the future.

Lewandowski’s departure completely changes the landscape. For four seasons, the Polish star served as the club’s attacking reference point and one of the most influential signings of the modern era. Replacing that impact will not be easy.

For now, there is no official offer and no advanced agreement. Only meetings, conversations and strategic monitoring.