Newcastle United remain in active dialogue with Joao Pedro’s representatives but have yet to make a formal offer to Brighton, according to Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder.
Ryder reported that “Newcastle United or Chelsea are yet to make a concrete offer for Joao Pedro with Brighton & Hove Albion understood to be open to negotiations.”
A valuation of £60 million has been relayed to both clubs via intermediaries, though no formal movement has followed from either the Blues or the Magpies.
Pedro, currently on holiday, is reportedly open to a move to Tyneside.
“Newcastle have an idea of Pedro’s wages and were told that the South American would be open to a move north,” Ryder reported.
However, the same sources indicate Chelsea remains an attractive alternative for the Brazilian forward, and it’s not that the Londoners aren’t adept at signing a thousand players each transfer window.
Brighton owner Tony Bloom, meanwhile, seems to be willing to sell the forward if his asking price is met.
“Brighton will sell at £60m with Albion supremo Tony Bloom not closing the door on sales,” Ryder wrote.
“I don’t think we will be doing a huge amount more [incoming business] between now and the end of the window,” Bloom told ITV Racing recently.
Pedro is one of Newcastle’s top attacking targets following their failed move for Bryan Mbeumo, who chose Manchester United instead.
So far, Newcastle are the only club engaged in direct talks with Pedro’s agent, but the lack of a formal bid leaves open the possibility of rival interest growing stronger in the weeks ahead and snatching the player from Newcastle’s paws before they can land him.