Barcelona are reportedly facing stiff competition from Chelsea in pursuit of Alfonso Pedraza, who has a €35 million release clause.
According to an exclusive report by Caught Offside, Chelsea have joined the race to sign Alfonso Pedraza from La Liga outfit Villarreal in the summer transfer window. The Spanish defender, who has a €35 million exit clause, is also being tailed by Barcelona and Inter Milan.
Pedraza took some time to get going at Villarreal, having been sent out on loan four times including twice within La Liga before he finally established a foothold in the first-team squad at Estadio de la Ceramica.
After receiving his break this term under Unai Emery, the 25-year-old has not looked back, raking in 39 appearances for Villarreal while also chipping in with 2 goals and 4 assists. His progress has certainly not gone unnoticed, with Barcelona being the first club to set their sights on him. And now Chelsea are also showing an interest.
Barcelona are desperately in search of a left-back heading into the summer transfer window, owing to the failure of Junior Firpo to make any sort of impression at Camp Nou. To that end, Jose Gaya is one of the options that have been mooted to be on their radar, with Pedraza also emerging as a viable target.
As for Chelsea, their eagerness to sign a left-back is a bit surprising, considering Thomas Tuchel has as many as three such options at his disposal. Granted, Emerson Palmieri is set to be offloaded this coming summer, but Chelsea would still need to sell Marcos Alonso before they can make room for someone like Pedraza.
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It has also been suggested that the Blues are also scouring the possibility of signing Robin Gosens. The report mentions that Chelsea, in addition to Barcelona and Inter Milan, have been scouting Pedraza quite heavily this season, with the trio keen on making a move this summer. His €35 million release clause would certainly be appealing for the suitors.
Caught Offside has also added that Alonso could indeed be on his way out of Stamford Bridge this summer in order to make room for Pedraza, who will compete with Chilwell in the left-sided role. Having said that, it will be interesting to see if Chelsea can swoop him away from Villarreal or if Barcelona manage to keep him in La Liga by making a €35 million move.
