Barcelona urged to consider Chelsea forward as leading Julian Alvarez alternative

Barcelona have been advised by an artificial intelligence tool to target Chelsea forward Joao Pedro as their top option to reinforce the attack if a move for primary target Julian Alvarez fails to materialise.

The Catalan club have placed the Argentina international at the centre of their plans to bolster the forward line, but Atletico Madrid’s refusal to negotiate a sale has complicated any potential deal.

Sporting director Deco is therefore assessing a range of alternatives, and a specialised AI system – consulted to identify suitable attacking options – has highlighted five possibilities, with Joao Pedro emerging as its preferred choice.

According to a report in Spanish newspaper Sport, the AI model rated the 24-year-old Chelsea player as the standout candidate to fill the role Barcelona are trying to cover with Alvarez.

“The first replacement I would choose for Julian Alvarez would be Joao Pedro,” the AI system stated. “He is not a traditional centre-forward, but he can play as a number nine, a second striker or a playmaker, link the lines and contribute to the press. And he is probably the most compatible candidate with the Barcelona players, because he does not need to stay permanently inside the penalty area.”

The analysis suggests that Pedro’s versatility and work rate fit the profile Deco is seeking: a forward capable of operating between the lines, supporting the press and interchanging positions with other attackers rather than acting solely as a penalty-box finisher.

However, the same AI assessment underlined that any attempt to sign the Brazilian would be extremely complicated from a financial and contractual standpoint.

The main obstacle is the transfer fee, with Chelsea having paid €70m to bring Joao Pedro to Stamford Bridge last summer. That investment, combined with his long-term status at the club, makes a quick resale unlikely and expensive for any suitor.

“The issue lies in the deal,” the AI tool continued. “Joao Pedro is under contract until 2033 and was chosen as the club’s best player in the 2025-2026 season, so convincing Chelsea to let him go would be extremely costly.”

Chelsea’s commitment to the player, reflected in a contract running through to 2033 and his recognition as their standout performer in the 2025-26 campaign, means Barcelona would almost certainly face a prohibitive asking price if they moved for him.

In its scoring system, the AI gave Joao Pedro a suitability rating of 9 out of 10 for Barcelona’s needs, but only 4 out of 10 for the likelihood of a deal being completed, underlining the gap between the sporting fit and the practical feasibility of the transfer.

The recommendations come as Barcelona continue to search the market for attacking reinforcements in case efforts to secure Alvarez remain blocked. While Deco and his recruitment team weigh up human scouting reports and financial constraints, the club is also testing data-driven tools such as AI models to compare options and anticipate potential roadblocks in negotiations.

For now, Alvarez remains the priority, but the AI’s backing for Joao Pedro highlights both the type of forward Barcelona are targeting and the financial difficulties that could shape their summer and medium-term transfer strategy.