Joao Perdro Brighton and Hove Albion, via Wikimedia Commons">
Amex Stadium Brighton and Hove Albion
Arsenal continue their hunt for a new centre-forward and according to Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners are looking into Brighton and Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro. The transfer expert claims that Pedro wants a fresh challenge and Brighton will not stand in his way.
Pedro joined the Seagulls from Watford in 2023 and since then, the forward has been a consistent performer for the club. His contract with the club runs until 2028 and this isn’t the first time that Arsenal have shown an interest in him. According to some reports, the Gunners have tried to sign him several times in the past.
Joao Pedro might turn out to be an impressive signing but Arsenal will have to battle a lot of competition to get their man. Apart from the North London team, Chelsea, Aston Villa and even Liverpool have been linked with the 23-year-old. To make matters more complicated, Brighton are demanding a transfer fee in the region of €70-80 million.
Is Joao Pedro worth €80 million and will he help solve Arsenal’s problem?
Joao Pedro scored 20 goals in 40 appearances for Brighton last season but his form has massively dipped this campaign. With the season about to end, the centre-forward has scored only 10 goals in 30 matches.
All of his goals have come in 27 Premier League appearances with an xG of 8.9. In the league he is averaging less than 1 shot per 90 minutes and he has a passing accuracy of just 74%.
The Brazilian is primarily a centre-forward but like Leandro Trossard, he can also play on the left flank. His versatility can be an asset to many teams but he is the type of player that Arsenal should avoid at any cost this summer.
With Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus set to leave, Arsenal need to bring in a proper centre-forward who can score 30 plus goals next season. Joao Pedro is surely not that type of player and Arsenal will be better off if they continue with their pursuit of Gyokeres, Sesko and others.
Arsenal have several team players in their current squad and to win titles, Arteta now needs a ruthless and hungry striker who is a proper threat inside the box. Someone like Viktor Gyokeres is averaging almost 11 touches per 90 mins inside the opposition’s penalty box whereas Joao Pedro has managed only 6 touches per 90 in almost 2000 minutes of league football in the 24/25 campaign.
If the 23-year-old were available for around €55-60 million, it would have made sense for the Gunners to go for him. However, if Brighton do not lower their asking price, we don’t think Arsenal will make any sort of formal contact. After the 23/24 season, one team or the other would have agreed to pay €80 million for Joao Pedro but after such an average campaign, everyone will look the other way.