By Wayne Veysey

8th May, 2023 | 5:00pm

Sources: Newcastle United pulled plug on Pedro deal after £30m bid

Newcastle United pulled out of the running for Watford’s Joao Pedro before he agreed to join Brighton, sources have told Football Insider.

The Seagulls announced last week (5 May) that they had finalised the capture of the forward, 21.

Newcastle pushed hard for Pedro last summer (2022) and their interest extended into this year.

But the Champions League chasers chose to pull the plug on their interest, paving the way for high-flying Brighton to agree a club-record deal.

Newcastle had an offer worth £30million including add-ons for the versatile forward rejected by Watford last summer.

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

He had signed a long-term contract at Vicarage Road just last summer (2022) but Brighton have swooped to add him to their ranks of impressive youngsters.

Pedro joins the likes of Kaoru Mitoma, Evan Ferguson, Julio Enciso and Alexis Mac Allister at the Amex Stadium.

The youngster has notched 11 goals and four assists in 35 Championship appearances in the 2022-23 campaign.

Pedro has already turned out at Premier League level with Watford, scoring three goals in 31 appearances across two separate spells in the top flight with the Hertfordshire side.

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.

Football Insider revealed last month (28 April) that the Magpies have registered interest in signing Barcelona star Raphinha this summer.

In other news, Newcastle delegation jets to Dubai for wonderkid talks.