Latest Newcastle United transfer news with Joao Pedro taking to social media amid speculation over a potential move to St James' Park
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Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Brighton's Joao Pedro.
Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Brighton's Joao Pedro.
Newcastle United target Joao Pedro has broken silence as rumours continue to swirl on a potential move to St James' Park. Eddie Howe's side have identified Pedro, 23, as a summer transfer target after missing out on Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo, who prefers a switch to Manchester United.
Pedro was close to moving to Newcastle in August 2022 but Howe pulled the plug after Callum Wilson suffered a hamstring injury and the Magpies signed Alexander Isak instead. It's a decision that has proven to be a masterstroke, however, as Isak has turned into a world-class centre forward.
That's not to suggest that Pedro wouldn't have had the same, or a better impact, but Isak has been transformative to the Newcastle attack and helped them win the Carabao Cup back in March. Alongside that, the Magpies have qualified for the Champions League twice since Isak signed.
Even though Newcastle decided against bringing in Pedro three years ago, it doesn't appear that the Magpies are going to reject advances to sign the Brazilian this time around. Howe is a huge fan of the former Watford man and there is confidence that they can get a deal done this summer.
Brighton want in excess of £60million to sanction Pedro's departure, double the amount the Seagulls paid to sign him from Watford back in June 2023. Since his switch to the Amex Stadium, Pedro has netted 30 goals and provided 10 assists in 70 matches - a return that has caught the eye of suitors.
While Pedro has remained silent on social media - unlike fellow target Anthony Elanga - since falling down the pecking order at Brighton, preferring to post training pictures without little to no text, he has broken silence in the last 24 hours, even if it's to call out a Real Madrid star for a game of padel.
In a story on Instagram, Pedro is seen talking to 23-year-old attacking midfielder Reinier Jesus. The latter then appears to challenge Newcastle target Pedro for a game in Portuguese.
Pedro then decided to respond, as translated into English, saying: "Just say the time and where."
It's unclear when Pedro, or anyone associated with the Brighton forward, is going to speak about a potential move. What is known is that Newcastle are set to return to pre-season in three weeks, meaning the clock is ticking down for the Magpies to get moves over the line for them.
Elsewhere, Newcastle are eyeing up a new right-sided forward, centre-back, goalkeeper, with plenty of irons in the fire. Targets include Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace, Celtic's Nicolas Kuhn and Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga.
In terms of outgoings, the likes of Odysseas Vlachodimos, Martin Dubravka, Matt Targett, Sean Longstaff and Harrison Ashby could leave Newcastle.
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