Joao Pedro set to extend Chelsea deal to 2034

Joao Pedro started his footballing career in England with Watford after leaving his boyhood club Fluiminense [Getty Images] Chelsea are set to renew striker Joao Pedro's contract until 2034 before the start of the Premier League season. Sources at Stamford Bridge say they expect the deal to go through - while those close to the 24-year-old say a full agreement has already been reached on a contract to run until 2032, with an option for the club to extend it by a further two years. Internally, the Brazil international is regarded as a major success after joining from Brighton in a deal worth an initial £55m, plus £5m in add-ons, last summer. Last season, Joao Pedro became the first Chelsea striker since Diego Costa to score 20 goals in a campaign without taking penalties. He also scored three times during Chelsea's Club World Cup-winning campaign last summer and has netted eight goals in seven pre-season matches. Joao Pedro is likely to start Chelsea's Premier League opener at Fulham on Monday, with new signings Danny Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha expected to provide cover this season. His success has led Chelsea to hand him the number nine shirt, with Liam Delap relinquishing it. Delap is available for transfer for around £50m and is attracting interest from Nottingham Forest and Leeds United. Chelsea intend to hand out a number of new contracts to key players after the transfer window closes, with Levi Colwill and Estevao Willian among those likely to be considered. Chelsea happy with Fernandez, says Alonso Delap loses number nine shirt & trains away from first team Premier League predictions 2026-27: BBC Sport pundits pick their top four