Jović ‘likes’ Chelsea, but Barcelona aren’t under a transfer ban — reports

Chelsea have reportedly told players and agents that no decisions regarding futures and transfers can truly be made at the club until we learn how and when FIFA rule on the club’s appeal of the two-window transfer ban. In most cases, this might be a minor nuisance or consideration. In others, it could have a major impact.

Take the case of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Luka Jović, who’s set to be one of the hottest transfer targets this summer after lighting up the Bundesliga and the Europa League with 22 goals (and 7 assists) in 33 appearances. The 21-year-old has been repeatedly linked with Chelsea over the last couple months — one of the few stories remaining in the rather barren Chelsea rumor mill these days — but now fresh reports out of Italy (where he helped eliminate Inter Milan from the Europa League last night) have him moving closer to Barcelona instead.

Both Italian Oracles Di Marzio and Pedullà agree that there is interest (or even “obsession”_ from Barca, though the latter claims that Jović “also likes” Sarri and Chelsea. Trouble is, we can’t sign anyone as things stand.

A recent report from the Telegraph hinted that this incoming ban has affected at least one potential new signing already with any further delays possibly causing Chelsea to miss out on him. Could Jović, the kind of prolific goalscorer whom Chelsea are desperately seeking, be that high-profile target?