Barcelona chief Deco denies meeting with Chelsea forward Joao Pedro

Barcelona chief Deco denies meeting with Chelsea forward Joao Pedro

Barcelona sporting director Deco has denied reports he has met with Chelsea striker Joao Pedro.

The La Liga champions are in the market for a new striker with Robert Lewandowski set to leave as a free agent this summer.

Barcelona have been heavily linked with Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, but recent reports have suggested they’ve moved on to Chelsea’s Pedro.

The 24-year-old has had a fantastic season in what has been a tough time for Chelsea, scoring 23 goals in his 52 games since joining.

Reports out of Spain had said that Deco was recently in London to meet the player and his representatives, something he now denies.

"I didn't go to see Joao Pedro; you are all mistaken,” Deco told ESPN. “We are not ruling out or signing anyone. We are talking about it."