Barcelona are reportedly targeting Chelsea winger Pedro Neto, but the Portuguese international’s €80 million price tag is seen as a significant obstacle for the Catalan club. The La Liga champions want to strengthen their forward line with a versatile wide player next summer, and the 25-year-old has emerged as one of the names at the top of their shortlist.
Neto joined Chelsea from Wolves in August 2024 for a fee in the region of €60 million and signed a long-term deal at Stamford Bridge. Since then, he has become an important figure under Enzo Maresca, contributing four goals and two assists in 12 Premier League appearances in the current campaign. These numbers have helped rebuild his market value after an injury-hit spell at Molineux.
Given that investment and his growing influence, Chelsea are under no pressure to sell and are said to be holding out for at least €80 million. According to reports out of Spain, Barcelona view Neto as an ideal profile for Hansi Flick’s attack due to his ability to operate on both flanks, press aggressively, and contribute in transition.
However, the same report stresses that the asking price is “beyond Barcelona’s current budget” and would only be viable if the club complete “significant sales and internal restructuring” over the next year. With La Liga’s financial controls still a major constraint, the operation is being described in Spain as very complicated rather than imminent.
Neto is one of several wide forwards monitored by the Blaugrana hierarchy, alongside other younger options on the continent. They are prepared for the possibility that not all of their current loanees and targets can be retained permanently.
For now, Chelsea appear relaxed about the situation, confident that any club wishing to prise the Portugal international away will have to meet their valuation in full.
Can Chelsea sign Marcus Rashford next summer?
Marcus Rashford is currently on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United until 30 June 2026. The Spanish club are holding an option to buy the England forward for a fee reported to be around €30–35 million.
The move came after a difficult period at Old Trafford, where Rashford struggled for consistency, faced public criticism over his performances, and work rate. He was eventually deemed expendable as United revamped their attack under Ruben Amorim.
At Barcelona, Rashford has made a strong early impression. He scored twice on his Champions League debut for the club in a win over Newcastle United and has opened his account in La Liga as well. That upturn in form has strengthened the case internally at Camp Nou for triggering the option to buy if the financial conditions are met.
For Chelsea, any potential move next summer is therefore complicated. Barcelona’s option gives them priority on a permanent transfer, and the clause runs through the end of the 2025–26 campaign. Unless the Catalans decide against exercising that option, or fail to agree on final terms with United and the player, Chelsea would have no direct route to sign Rashford.
Even in that scenario, the Blues would still have to satisfy United’s valuation and Rashford’s wage demands while staying within Premier League financial rules.
