Sources: Newcastle United have ‘concrete’ interest in Joao Pedro ahead of January
Newcastle United have a strong interest in Watford forward Joao Pedro ahead of January, sources have told Football Insider.
The north-east giants had an offer worth £30million including add-ons rejected by the Championship club for Pedro during the summer.
Newcastle are still keen on Pedro and have been closely monitoring him this season as they weigh up a new move going into the winter window.
The Premier League high flyers regard Pedro, 21, as a top talent with the potential to be a Premier League sensation.
Their interest is said to be “concrete”, said one well-placed source.
He can play at centre-forward but is versatile enough to operate anywhere across the front line, or even behind the striker, and he is often moved position from game to game.
Football Insider first broke the news of Newcastle’s interest in Pedro on 15 August when we revealed a bid of £20million had been tabled.
That was knocked back by Watford and they held firm right up until deadline day despite also the competing interest of Everton.
Watford regard Pedro as a key player as they try to secure instant promotion back to the Premier League.
They are fourth in the Championship and well placed to mount a push for promotion in the second half of the season.
The Brazilian forward, who is under contract at Vicarage Road until 2025, has made 14 Championship starts among 17 appearances this season.
He has scored six goals, including four over the last month, and also supplied two assists.
In other news, Newcastle United have ‘huge’ advantage in landing ‘special’ January signing after source’s reveal today.