TBR Football can exclusively confirm what Brighton & Hove Albion sources are currently saying about Chelsea and Newcastle United target Joao Pedro.
Chelsea and Newcastle are both looking to strengthen their ranks ahead of a big season in which both will be in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Joao Pedro’s future appears to be away from Brighton in the wake of his training-ground fallout with teammate Jan Paul van Hecke.
TBR Football can also reveal who is currently in pole position for Pedro and which other clubs are in the picture for the £60million man’s signature.
Joao Pedro during a Premier League clash between Brighton and Aston Villa.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Newcastle and Chelsea keen on Joao Pedro but RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt also in the picture
Brighton sources have confirmed to TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey that a ‘number’ of clubs have made contact about Joao Pedro.
Pedro has made it clear to Brighton that he wants to leave and, as TBR Football previously revealed, Newcastle have already made Pedro one of their top summer targets.
Eddie Howe is hugely keen on the player, having tried to sign him during his Watford days.
As we revealed, Newcastle are one of the clubs to make contact and we can confirm that Chelsea are one of the others.
The Blues have long been linked with the 23-year-old and their interest remains, despite the summer arrival of Liam Delap.
However, we can also confirm that a number of clubs on the continent have also had contact.
We are told that amongst them are RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt – both of whom could be about to sell their current front-line strikers.
The Saudi Pro League have shown an interest too – but it remains to be seen if Pedro would have an interest in a move to the Middle East.
READ MORE: ‘Magic’ winger likened to Joe Cole is ‘especially’ confident of signing for Chelsea this summer
Who is in pole position to sign Joao Pedro
“Brighton are accepting that Pedro can go,” Bailey has exclusively told TBR Football.
“Last summer they were pricing him at £100m, he was seen as their future – but things have not worked out under Fabian Hurzeler.
“Pedro had a serious falling out with Jan Paul van Hecke and, although Brighton insist that is now put to bed, which it is, that whole incident has convinced both parties that a parting of the ways is the right thing.
“Now from £100million last summer, I am told that Brighton are accepting below £60million is the likely price. That still represents a substantial profit for them.
“Newcastle are very much leading the charge and their talks with Pedro’s camp have gone well, but others including Chelsea are very much keeping tabs on this situation.”
Statistic Per 90 Percentile
Non-Penalty Goals 0.23 19
npxG: Non-Penalty xG 0.23 13
Shots Total 1.94 19
Assists 0.28 88
xAG: Exp. Assisted Goals 0.23 92
npxG + xAG 0.46 52
Shot-Creating Actions 3.33 90
Passes Attempted 30.54 93
Pass Completion % 72.90% 63
Progressive Passes 3.6 96
Progressive Carries 3.05 97
Successful Take-Ons 1.34 90
Touches (Att Pen) 5.64 76
Progressive Passes Rec 5.91 70
Tackles 0.74 64
Interceptions 0.42 95
Blocks 0.55 44
Clearances 0.55 23
Aerials Won 1.89 53
Joao Pedro stats over past 365 days compared to other strikers in Europe’s top five leagues (FBRef)
Pedro is a player with an “interesting profile”, according to former Brazil manager Dorival Junior.
He told ESPN Brasil earlier this year: “He has an interesting profile, he floats and projects, he has a considerable number of goals. He has already played that role (No. 9).”
That, along with his Premier League-proven qualities, suggest he could be a good shout for the likes of Chelsea and Newcastle domestically and in Europe.