‘Newcastle face threats to major Joao Pedro interest as star keeps options open’
Newcastle United could face competition for Brighton forward Joao Pedro’s signature this summer following a new update indicating his thoughts over a move to St James’ Park.
The Magpies are preparing to return to the Champions League next season after a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League last term, and it promises to be a busy summer window on Tyneside as a result.
Former scout Mick Brown told Football Insider last month that Newcastle want to sign Pedro from Brighton as Eddie Howe looks to add a new centre-forward to his ranks, with Callum Wilson set to depart St James’ Park upon the expiry of his contract.
He has been with Brighton since a 2023 move from Watford, and has been a regular scorer for the Seagulls over the last two years in their quests to qualify for a European competition.
Brighton are looking for bids of £50-60million if they are to sell the Brazil international this summer, as revealed by Football Insider, and he looks set to leave the Amex Stadium soon after a recent fall-out with boss Fabian Hurzeler.
Newcastle’s pursuit of Pedro under threat from Chelsea, Arsenal
Football Insider revealed on 10 June that Pedro is keen to play Champions League football next season and wants to leave Brighton this summer, but Newcastle’s chances of signing him have been made less clear amid new developments.
The Telegraph’s northern football writer Luke Edwards has suggested that the 23-year-old is “keeping his options open” as he seeks a Seagulls exit in the coming months, following his claim on 13 June, via The Telegraph, that Chelsea have registered their interest in the Brighton attacker’s services.
Football Insider reported last month that the Blues, Liverpool and Arsenal could go toe-to-toe for Pedro this summer, and it looks as if Newcastle’s path to signing him may not be as straightforward as it may have initially seemed.
Pedro should join Newcastle for the good of his own career
Football Insider verdict
Pedro is an experienced striker in English football nowadays, despite his age, having joined Watford at just 18-years-old in 2020, and it seems like a natural next step for him to join a team competing at the top of the table and in the Champions League like Newcastle.
The Telegraph claim that Magpies boss Howe has been a “huge fan” of the Brazilian for a good while, and Football Insider did reveal nearly three years ago that Newcastle had submitted a bid of around £20m for Pedro’s services while he was still with the Hornets, but he eventually chose to move to Brighton.
That sort of backing from a manager is priceless in the modern game, especially considering Howe’s solid position at St James’ Park, and Pedro’s desire to play in Europe’s premier club competition would also be satisfied by joining Newcastle, so he should make the move there ahead of Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal this summer.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 70 | 30 | 10 |
He would largely be a back-up to Alexander Isak in his first season at the club, if he was to make the move, but the Swede has been heavily linked away from Tyneside in recent times and so the main striker position could well become vacant in the years to come.
Pedro’s versatility to play across the front three is also an appeal to Newcastle, according to The Telegraph, and so there is definite possibility that he becomes a first-choice option on either wing, especially with Anthony Gordon on Liverpool’s radar ahead of a potential move away from the Magpies this summer.