Exclusive: Chelsea and Arsenal want Spanish star with a release clause of €100 million | OneFootball

Premier League rivals Chelsea and Arsenal are targeting a move for Spanish midfielder in the summer transfer window.

The London clubs have invested money in young talent in recent years and they have now identified their next transfer target.

According to Caught Offside sources, Chelsea and Arsenal are looking to make a summer move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios.

The 21-year-old Spanish midfielder has impressed a number of clubs with his performances this season including Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Tottenham.

However, Atletico Madrid have secured Barrios until June 2028 and added a €100 million release clause in his contract.

Atletico see him as the future of the club and want to extend his contract at the end of the season until 2030.

There is a need for fresh faces in the midfield at Chelsea and Arsenal. The Blues have continuously struggled with the fitness issues of midfielder Romeo Lavia while the Gunners may need to add more depth in the midfield with Thomas Partey’s future uncertain at the club.

Chelsea and Arsenal are reportedly planning to make a €70 million bid for the transfer of Atletico Madrid midfielder Barrios this summer.

Pablo Barrios has caught the attention of both Chelsea and Arsenal

Chelsea and Arsenal are targeting a move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Signing a midfielder is Arsenal’s priority in the summer transfer window and they see Barrios as an alternative to Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who they are favourites to sign.

With high interest in the services of Zubimendi, the Gunners may go for Barrios if they lost out on signing the Real Sociedad man.

As for Chelsea, before making new signings, they want to focus on selling players and generating funds for their transfer business.

Barrios is a young central midfielder who has impressed this season and his brilliant form has made it difficult for Conor Gallagher to get a starting spot in the side.

The Premier League clubs face competition from Bayern Munich to sign the Spanish midfielder with the German club eyeing Barrios as a potential replacement of Joshua Kimmich who is likely to leave the club at the end of the season.