‘Joao Pedro to be sold’ – Brighton fans rage after teammate bust-up twist
Brighton supporters have called for the club to sell Joao Pedro after a training ground altercation was revealed amid growing speculation over his future.
The Brazilian has been a standout performer since joining Brighton from Watford in 2023 and has proven his importance this season.
Pedro was even nominated for the Young Player of the Season award after an impressive campaign, scoring 10 goals and registering six assists across all competitions.
His form hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Chelsea and Liverpool both expressing interest in Pedro ahead of the summer transfer window.
However, eyebrows were raised when he was left out of the squad for Brighton’s 3-2 win over Liverpool—and now, the reason has reportedly come to light.
| Season statistics | Joao Pedro |
| Appearances | 30 |
| Goals | 10 |
| Assists | 7 |
Joao Pedro axed by Fabian Hurzeler after clash with Van Hecke
Pedro was dropped from the squad by manager Fabian Hurzeler following a training ground altercation with teammate Jan Paul van Hecke, according to Andy Naylor, Brighton correspondent for The Athletic.
The incident is said to have taken place ahead of the Seagulls’ match against Wolves on 10 May, and Pedro has remained absent from the squad since.
The situation has only intensified speculation about his future at the club. Mick Brown, former Manchester United chief scout, told Football Insider that Pedro has expressed a desire to join Chelsea, with the London club entering the race for his signature this summer.
Brighton are expected to demand a significant fee to part with the 23-year-old, but the recent incident may raise concerns for interested clubs regarding his temperament. At the same time, it could accelerate his exit by pushing Brighton to act sooner.
Brighton fans turn on Joao Pedro amid transfer speculation
Earlier this season, reports suggested Brighton were actively looking to generate interest in Pedro, recognising his market value and hoping to spark a bidding war for the talented forward.
However, the fallout from the training ground clash has seemingly tested the patience of the fanbase. Despite his strong performances this campaign, many supporters now believe his time at the Amex should come to an end.
One fan posted: “Get this man out of my club. [Leandro] Trossard 2.0” drawing comparisons to the former Brighton star who also left under tense circumstances. Another added: “Happy for him to be sold on, fed up with his diving on the pitch and think the team is better without him in the squad.”