Barcelona are set to make a move for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho in January following the retirement of Gerard Pique this weekend, according to The Mirror.

Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez is keen on signing the Chelsea midfielder and Pique’s sudden retirement has saved the Catalan giants between £44million and £65million which they intend to use to strengthen their squad in January.

Barcelona are reportedly targeting two players in the coming window – Athletic Bilbao defender Inigo Martinez earmarked as a replacement for Pique in central defence and Jorginho from Chelsea.

Barcelona will offer around £22m plus add-ons to see if they can tempt Chelsea to do business and offer the Brazil-born star a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Barcelona are confident Chelsea will be open to selling Jorginho in January to avoid losing the midfielder for free at the end of the season.

Jorginho’s agent insisted last week that the midfielder wants to remain at Chelsea but the Blues are yet to agree a new contract with the Italian international, with his existing contract expiring at the end of the season.