Chelsea are on the verge of tying down striker Joao Pedro to a lengthy new contract that could keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2034, according to reports. Club insiders anticipate the agreement will be finalized before the Premier League season gets underway, while sources close to the 24-year-old Brazilian suggest terms have already been settled on a deal running until 2032, with the club holding an option to extend for a further two years.
The move underscores how highly Chelsea regard the forward, who has quickly established himself as one of the club's most important attacking assets since arriving from Brighton last summer in a transfer worth an initial £55m, with a further £5m in potential add-ons. That fee has proven to be shrewd business given his immediate impact on the pitch.
Joao Pedro made history in his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge by becoming the first Chelsea striker since Diego Costa to reach the 20-goal mark in a single season without relying on penalties. His contributions extended beyond domestic competition, as he found the net three times during Chelsea's triumphant run to the Club World Cup title last summer. He has carried that scoring form into the current pre-season, netting eight goals across seven friendly matches.
Given his growing importance to the squad, Chelsea have symbolically handed him the number nine shirt, a jersey previously worn by Liam Delap. Delap now finds himself surplus to requirements in that role and is reportedly available for a transfer fee in the region of £50m, with Nottingham Forest and Leeds United both said to be monitoring the situation.
Joao Pedro is expected to lead the line when Chelsea open their Premier League campaign away at Fulham on Monday. The club has bolstered its attacking options this summer with the arrivals of Danny Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha, both of whom are anticipated to provide depth and rotation options throughout the season rather than compete directly for the starting striker role.
The planned extension for Joao Pedro is not expected to be an isolated case. Chelsea are reportedly preparing to open contract talks with several other key figures in the squad once the current transfer window closes. Defender Levi Colwill and young forward Estevao Willian are among those understood to be in line for fresh terms, as the club continues its strategy of securing long-term commitments from players it views as central to its future.
The approach reflects a broader philosophy at Stamford Bridge under the current ownership, which has favored extended contracts for both established performers and emerging talents. Locking down Joao Pedro on a deal that could span the better part of a decade would represent a significant statement of intent regarding his role at the heart of Chelsea's attacking plans for years to come.
As the new Premier League season approaches, all eyes will be on how Joao Pedro fares in a Chelsea shirt against top-flight opposition, building on the promise he showed in his debut year. With Delap's departure looking increasingly likely and new faces arriving to support rather than challenge for his position, the Brazilian appears set to remain the focal point of Chelsea's forward line as the club looks to build on last season's Club World Cup success.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.