Barcelona's Striker Search Hits a Setback with Joao Pedro's New Contract

Barcelona’s striker search has taken another hit. One of the names high on Deco’s shortlist is now locked away in London for the long haul.

Chelsea slam the door on Joao Pedro exit

As Barcelona brace themselves for disappointment in their chase of Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez, Joao Pedro had emerged as a serious alternative to lead the line at Camp Nou. Multiple reports in Spain and England placed the Brazilian firmly among Deco’s preferred options to strengthen the attack for the new season.

That possibility has vanished.

Chelsea confirmed on their official channels on Saturday that Joao Pedro has signed a new contract running until 2034, a statement of intent from the Premier League club that they have no interest in cashing in on one of their key assets. The length of the deal alone underlines how determined the Blues are to build around him.

Instant impact in blue

Joao Pedro arrived at Stamford Bridge from Brighton and Hove Albion in July 2025 and needed almost no settling-in period. He made himself central to Chelsea’s story from the start, scoring in both the semi-final and final of the FIFA Club World Cup and driving the team to the world title.

The Brazilian’s influence did not fade once the confetti was swept away. He carried that form into his first full campaign in London, finishing the 2025-2026 season with 20 goals in all competitions. Supporters responded in kind, voting him Chelsea’s Player of the Season.

Speaking after signing his new deal, Joao Pedro made it clear he sees his future in west London.

“I am very happy to sign a new contract with Chelsea. I always dreamed of playing for a big club, and it means a lot to me to commit to this club for the long term. Chelsea have a long history of victories, and have big ambitions for the future,” he said.

His connection to the club and the city has clearly taken root.

“I have a very good relationship with everyone here at the club, and I have felt at home here in London from the moment I joined,” he added.

The ambition is shared inside the dressing room.

“Everyone is very excited for this season. We know we are capable of achieving many things, we have a great team, and we have a manager who wants to win and has won before. I am fully committed, everyone is ready, and we hope we can achieve our goals.”

Big goals in big moments

Chelsea did not hand out a decade-long contract on potential alone. Joao Pedro has already delivered when the stakes were highest.

He struck twice against his former club Fluminense to send Chelsea into the Club World Cup final, then scored again in the showpiece against Paris Saint-Germain to help secure the trophy. Those nights set the tone.

Domestically, he opened Chelsea’s 2025-2026 league campaign with the first goal of the season away at West Ham United, then grabbed the only goal in a tight win at Tottenham Hotspur. When Chelsea needed a cutting edge, he repeatedly supplied it.

Europe told the same story. Joao Pedro scored twice as Chelsea beat Napoli in the UEFA Champions League, underlining his status as a forward for the biggest stages, not just the highlight reels.

For Barcelona, that profile was exactly what they were hunting. Now, with Joao Pedro tied down until 2034 and Julian Alvarez still out of reach, Deco’s search for a new No. 9 grows more complicated by the day.