By Wayne Veysey

10th Apr, 2023 | 1:30pm

Sources: Newcastle United have 'concrete' interest in Joao Pedro after £30m bid tabled

Newcastle United have a “concrete” interest in Watford forward Joao Pedro going into the summer, sources have told Football Insider.

The Champions League chasers had an offer worth £30million including add-ons rejected by the Championship club for the versatile forward last summer.

Newcastle are still keen on Pedro and have been closely monitoring him this season as they plot a new potential move.

The Premier League high flyers regard Pedro, 21, as a top talent with versatility and pace to play in a number of roles at the top level.

He can play at centre-forward as well as behind the striker and on both flanks – and has done so with success for Watford this season.

Newcastle’s interest is “concrete”, said one well-placed source.

Pedro signed a long-term contract at Watford just last September (2022), keeping him at Vicarage Road until June 2028.

The Brazillian earns a reported wage of £35,000-a-week with the Hertfordshire-based club.

He has notched nine goals and four assists across 31 Championship appearances this season – 27 of which have come from the start.

Pedro has a more modest scoring record at Premier League level, having scored three goals in 31 appearances across two separate spells in the top flight with Watford.

The Hornets sit 12th in the Championship and are unlikely to achieve promotion from the second tier this season.

Newcastle moved to add a versatile forward in the January window, with Everton’s Anthony Gordon joining the club for a reported fee of £45million.

Stars like Miguel Almiron, Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson have been in fine scoring form this season with Eddie Howe’s side pushing for Champions League qualification.

The Magpies sit third in the Premier League at present – three points ahead of fifth-place Tottenham with a game in hand.

In other news, the door has opened for Newcastle United and West Ham to sign Man United star.