Chelsea and Newcastle United will both play in the Champions League next season.
Enzo Maresca and Eddie Howe deserve a lot of credit for the work they have done, but the challenge in front of them is a big one.
Both clubs will need new additions to strengthen their squads this summer, and they have been linked with a number of names in recent weeks.
Newcastle and Chelsea even have a common target – the Blues may just have an edge in the race to sign that player.
Newcastle ‘fear’ that Chelsea will sign Joao Pedro
Joao Pedro is expected to leave Brighton and Hove Albion this summer.
The Brazilian has been a fine player for the Seagulls since joining them from Watford, but his time at the club could be about to come to an end.
Pedro was involved in a training-ground altercation with Jan-Paul van Hecke, which led to him being dropped for Brighton’s final two games of the campaign.
TBR Football confirmed that both Chelsea and Newcastle United want to sign Pedro this summer, and now, Alex Crook has shared a further update.
The journalist has acknowledged the interest in Pedro from the two clubs, but he has revealed that there is fear among the decision makers at Newcastle that Chelsea could win the race for his signature.
Crook said on talkSPORT: “This (Alexander Isak to Liverpool) will be a difficult deal to do, but it might get easier if Newcastle win the race for Brighton’s Joao Pedro.
“That is a hotly contested one at this moment in time, lots of interest from the Premier League and Europe.
“I know Newcastle fear that maybe, Chelsea could beat them to the punch. Joao Pedro is somebody that Brighton would cash in on for a fee around £60-70 million.”
Newcastle should snub Joao Pedro and sign another Premier League star instead
Yes, Pedro would be a very good signing for Newcastle United, but missing out on him will not be the end of the world.
TBR revealed that Pedro has told Newcastle that he is prepared to play on the right-wing, but there is a better option available for the Toon.
Newcastle have held talks about signing Mohammed Kudus, and the Ghana international would be a far more exciting signing.
The West Ham star can play on either wing, as a 10 and even in a box-to-box midfield role. He would be a better option than Pedro, especially if Isak ends up staying, which he is expected to do.