Joao Pedro Arne Slot Liverpool
(Credit: Imago)
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Sun 18 May 2025 9:41, UK
Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal could go toe-to-toe for Brighton forward Joao Pedro this summer as the transfer market heats up, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have told him about Liverpool‘s interest in the talented striker.
Arne Slot‘s side and the two London rivals are all expected to be on the hunt for a new centre-forward in the summer transfer window, and Joao Pedro‘s versatility is seen as a huge plus point by the three clubs.
Liverpool have already reached an agreement to sign Jeremie Frimpong and he will undergo a medical with the club after agreeing terms on a five-year deal.
Pedro could be pursued as part of a £300million transfer spree expected at Chelsea this summer, but sources have told Football Insider that Brighton will demand up to £70m for the Brazilian attacker.
The Seagulls signed Pedro from Watford for £30m in 2023 and are keen to at least double their money on the 23-year-old, who is equally capable playing at centre-forward, out wide, or in the number 10 role.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
Sources have told Football Insider that given Liverpool need to replace the seemingly exit-bound Darwin Nunez this summer, Brighton are hopeful that widespread interest in Pedro can drive up his price tag.
Liverpool-striker-Darwin-Nunez-1
Liverpool will need a new number nine if they sell Darwin Nunez this summer (Credit: Getty Images)
Liverpool locked in £70m Joao Pedro transfer battle
Brighton are a club always willing to discuss the sales of their biggest assets, and Football Insider sources have said their position on Pedro will likely be no different amid Liverpool and Chelsea‘s interest.
Speaking on the new Inside Track, O’Rourke said that the Reds, Blues and so many other clubs all keen on the same striker targets this summer, Pedro’s potential and versatility makes him an intriguing option.
“The big thing about Joao Pedro [is that] he ticks a lot of boxes, he’s played in a variety of roles for Brighton”, he told Football Insider.
“He can play out wide, he can play as that number nine centre-forward, but he can also play in the number 10 role, which he has done to success this season of Brighton.
Player Appearances Starts Goals Assists Yellow/Red Cards
Joao Pedro 30 24 10 7 4/1
Pedro has been a regular source of goals and assists for Brighton
“I’m a big admirer of Joao Pedro – maybe not a prolific goalscorer, but he’s a skillful player. I think he can bring the best out of the other forwards in the team as well.
“They signed him for about £30million from Watford – his price tag’s definitely gone up since then, so you’d be looking at least double that, if not more, maybe £60m to £70m for Joao Pedro if Brighton were to sell him.
“I think there’ll be a lot of interest in Joao Pedro if Brighton are willing to sell him – we’re going to have a transfer market this summer where all the same clubs are after number nines, that’s why Pedro is also attracting interest from Liverpool and Chelsea.
“I’m sure he’s on the list of all these clubs – he might not be top right now, but if those clubs do miss out on other potential targets, his versatility is very appealing to any of the interested clubs as well.”
Joao Pedro price tag could cost Liverpool in transfer chase
Football Insider revealed on Friday that Arsenal are in “advanced talks” with Sporting CP over a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres, and therefore their pursuit of Pedro may soon end, and open the door for Liverpool.
However, while Chelsea have shown in recent windows that Todd Boehly has an apparently bottomless pit of money to spend on Brighton players, Liverpool’s transfer spending has been much more prudent.
The Reds’ reserved transfer activity has certainly worked and delivered the Premier League title to Anfield this season, but in order to build upon a superb debut campaign, Slot may see Pedro as exactly the kind of signing which Liverpool need to make.
Related Posts