Newcastle United may have received a boost in their bid to sign Joao Pedro ahead of Chelsea.
The Magpies are keen to bring the 23-year-old in from Brighton, but there are fears that Pedro wants to join Chelsea instead.
Enzo Maresca’s side are attempting to sign another striker after bringing in Liam Delap, with Chelsea interested in Pedro.
That could seriously hinder Newcastle United’s interest in Pedro, but it would appear that the Blues also have another target on their radar.
Joao Pedro running with the ball during a Premier League game between Brentford and Brighton.
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
Chelsea are in talks to sign Joao Pedro alternative
While Newcastle struggle to sign one striker, Chelsea have multiple options as they attempt to bring in a second. As well as Pedro, Randal Kolo Muani is an alternative.
According to L’Equipe, Chelsea have opened talks to sign Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain.
The French forward is set to leave PSG this summer, having spent the second half of the 2024/25 season on loan at Juventus. They are keen to retain Kolo Muani, having already agreed a loan extension so he could compete at the Club World Cup.
What Newcastle United must do next with Joao Pedro
While there have been fears that Pedro wants to join Chelsea, Newcastle must use the Blues’ interest in Kolo Muani to their advantage.
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Chelsea have alternatives to Pedro, whereas he is Eddie Howe’s top target. That point must be emphasised to the Brazilian’s representatives.
That desire to bring him to Tyneside, combined with the chance to work with Howe and play in the Champions League, will hopefully persuade Pedro that St James’ Park is the place for him.
The Magpies are prepared to invest heavily to sign him. It has been reported that Newcastle want to pay £60million for Pedro, which would make him the club’s second most expensive signing behind Alexander Isak.
Chelsea’s interest in Pedro has complicated Newcastle United’s pursuit, but the Magpies will still hope that this is a transfer tussle they can win.