Barcelona enter race to sign top Chelsea target

Barcelona have reportedly joined Chelsea in the race to sign Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez in January.

The Blues tried to land the Mexican before the summer transfer deadline, but Ajax did not have time to land a replacement.

Chelsea have assured the midfielder that they will revive their interest in January, but they now face strong competition.

According to Sport, Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez is looking into a replacement for the under-performing Sergi Busquets.

It is added that Alvarez is a player under consideration and the Blaugrana could go head-to-head with Chelsea to land him.

Chelsea were willing to pay as much as £43 million for Alvarez last summer and Ajax may now raise their transfer valuation.

Alvarez would be a superb signing for the Blues. He could be considered as a replacement for the injury-plagued N'Golo Kante.

The Blues would be wise to sign the 24-year-old than extending the contract of Kante (June 2023), who is on £290,000-a-week.