Chelsea are becoming 'too small' for Joao Pedro amid a pursuit from Barcelona, reports Spanish outlet Sport.
The Blues have finally found themselves a top striker. After years of trying and failing to source a quality centre-forward, Pedro has come along and starred, bagging 20 goals and assisting nine in all competitions.
But his success has not been mirrored by the London club, who have slipped from top-four contention to ninth in the Premier League, and Barcelona have taken note of the situation.
They've been linked with the snare of Pedro for weeks, identifying him as a great option to bolster their attack, at a time when his own club are not having close to the success they want.
Now, Sport reports a feeling that his situation is becoming 'too small for him.' The suggestion being that he could be playing for a more successful club, and Barcelona have just won La Liga.
It is suggested that should Chelsea fail to qualify for the Champions League, which at ninth in the table with two games left, seems likely, they could be forced to negotiate Pedro's exit.
The striker is second in line to be attacker by the Spanish club, with Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez their favoured option, but the report suggests Pedro's emerging as the most solid and perhaps 'smartest option.'
Barcelona called Pedro
In late March, it was reported that Barcelona sporting director Deco had called Pedro's intermediaries to gauge the potential of a deal.
At the time, it was already known that Alvarez was their top option, but Pedro was a useful alternative, and that remains the case.
The suggestion was that Chelsea would make it difficult for any club to land the Brazilian striker.
Given Pedro has been their best player this season, it would not be a surprise to see the Blues stamp their feet when it comes to his future.
But if they don't have a good European competition to play in next term, some of their stars could look favourably upon moves elsewhere.
Barca have the pull of a Champions League regular, who have reached at least the quarter-finals in each of the past three years. If Pedro angles for a move away, it will be interesting to see what Chelsea can do to stop that.
There is indeed a sense, at least this season, that they could be too small for the Brazilian striker, who could have his pick of big clubs after a fantastic first season at Stamford Bridge.
