Joao Pedro to Chelsea update after ‘Liam Delap chooses Stamford Bridge’
Liam Delap’s decision to choose Chelsea as his preferred transfer destination has had an impact on Joao Pedro’s potential move to Stamford Bridge.
Despite scoring for the Blues in their 4-1 win over Real Betis in the Conference League final, Nicolas Jackson’s recent performances for Enzo Maresca’s side have exacerbated the need for a new striker this summer.
The West London side have been one of many teams interested in Ipswich striker Delap, who has a £30million release clause [BBC Sport] in his contract following the Tractor Boys’ relegation.
The son of former Stoke City man Rory scored 12 times for Kieran McKenna’s team, impressing with his lung-busting runs and hold-up play.
With plenty of teams to choose from, including Man United and Italian giants Juventus, Delap has picked Chelsea as his preferred destination this summer, according to David Ornstein in The Athletic, with rival suitors informed he won’t be joining them.
But according to Sky Sports Switzerland journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the England Under-21’s expected move to Stamford Bridge will have a knock-on effect on any deal the Blues hope to get done for Brighton star Pedro.
Chelsea move for Joao Pedro ‘on hold’
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown revealed exclusively to Football Insider that Pedro had confessed his desire to join Chelsea this summer.
But with the Blues pressing ahead with a move for Delap, any deal for the Brazilian striker is now “on hold”, according to Tavolieri.
This has also put Brighton’s plans to sign Evann Guessand from Ligue 1 side Nice on hold, with that move contingent on Pedro’s sale.
One fan then highlighted Chelsea’s need for different profiles of strikers, and they hoped the next striker would be a “target man”.
Tavolieri then responded by saying that with the Blues competing in the Champions League “you need both” and the Pedro deal was “not dead but on hold”.
The Sky Sports Switzerland journalist then revealed that Brighton expected €85million (£71.47m) for the 23-year-old, but suggested that some “sales inside the squad” at Stamford Bridge would help the deal to develop.
Chelsea risk missing out on Joao Pedro to Premier League rivals
Football Insider Verdict
Given the lack of quality strikers available on the market, and their inflated price tags as a result, Delap at £30m is simply too good of a deal to turn down.
Chelsea will have a striker capable of leading the line and being self-sufficient, which will likely only serve to improve Cole Palmer’s output.
But that may give their rivals a better chance of landing Brighton’s star man.
Liverpool are interested in signing Pedro this summer, given Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota’s struggles this season.
Being able to offer the Brazilian more guarantees of starting minutes will be attractive for the former Watford striker.
Letting a player as talented as Pedro slip through their fingers may be something that comes to haunt Chelsea in the years to come, and both players’ respective performances will undoubtedly be compared if the 23-year-old chooses a different destination to Stamford Bridge.