Xabi Alonso ‘deems Chelsea star untouchable amid major transfer interest from rival’ despite £117m Morgan Rogers arrival

CHELSEA star Joao Pedro is reportedly untouchable and will therefore NOT join Barcelona. The Brazilian was sounded out to be a potential replacement for Robert Lewandowski in Catalonia but Chelsea chiefs are understood to have closed the door on any deal. Joao Pedro is reportedly set to stay at Chelsea Credit: Getty Xabi Alonso and Chelsea chiefs have blocked a move Credit: Getty Despite Spanish reports suggesting the star would “welcome” a move to the Blaugrana, according to Diario Sport, the door is well and truly closed. He has been declared untouchable and Chelsea have no intention of listening to offers from anyone. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! New gaffer Xabi Alonso appears to view him as a key figure in his project, following Pedro‘s productive debut campaign at Stamford Bridge. He scored 15 goals in 35 Premier League appearances as well as providing 8 assists. He was arguably one of few shining lights in a dark season for the West London club, as they finished a lowly tenth in the Premier League, having had three different managers. And as a result, he’s been put on the untouchable list, along with young star Josh Acheampong. Following BlueCo’s appointment of Alonso as manager, as opposed to head coach, it’s been suggested that the new gaffer will have more of a say on the squad than any of his predecessors. And it seems to have started that way, Chelsea’s previous interest in Granit Xhaka was a clear demonstration of their commitment to the new manager, despite Sunderland blocking the move. Most read in Sport Morgan Rogers was sold the Chelsea project by Xabi Alonso Credit: Reuters WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS Xhaka was Alonso’s captain at Bayer Leverkusen as the Spaniard delivered a first ever Bundesliga title to the BayArena. Additionally, the breaking Morgan Rogers news yesterday was a hell of a statement by the Blues. They have agreed a huge deal worth £117million with Aston Villa to bring the midfielder to the Bridge, making him the most expensive British player ever. The attacker has agreed a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge – with SunSport having first reported the Blues’ interest in July 2025. A medical is scheduled to go ahead on Monday upon his return from the World Cup. Rogers is said to have been impressed by Alonso‘s vision for the club. Comment now