Newcastle United are facing competition from Chelsea to sign Joao Pedro this summer.
The Brazilian forward is one of Newcastle United’s top targets, but the Magpies have a problem. There are fears that Pedro would prefer to join Chelsea and live in London, as opposed to heading up north.
As it stands, Newcastle are the favourites to sign Pedro. However, that could always change if Enzo Maresca steps up his interest.
And Chelsea are not the only Premier League club interested in the 23-year-old that Newcastle United should be keeping an eye on.
Joao Pedro waits to take a penalty for Brighton against Leicester City in the Premier League.
Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images
Newcastle United could have more competition for Joao Pedro
So many Premier League clubs are in the market for a striker this summer, including Arsenal.
According to the Telegraph, Joao Pedro is a player that the Gunners have ‘looked’ at as Mikel Arteta searches for a new centre-forward.
Arsenal did want Alexander Isak, but that deal is not going to happen. Newcastle have no intention of selling Isak, as they prepare to offer him a contract extension.
Since distancing themselves from Isak, Arsenal have turned their attention to Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres. But they are not their only options, with Pedro also on Arteta’s radar.
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The reason why Newcastle United must move fast for Joao Pedro
The last thing Newcastle United want is a bidding war. That is why they must try to strike a deal for Pedro as quickly as possible.
There is already the threat of Chelsea, while Arsenal are lingering in the background. That is enough reason for the Magpies to step up their pursuit.
It has been reported that Newcastle want to pay around £60million for Pedro, but Brighton will be eager to drive that price up if there are other genuine suitors at the table.
As is the case with all of their targets, Newcastle do not want this to develop into a saga. They are extremely keen to get value for money, while they are not going to waste their time chasing players who might not come.
Newcastle expect the market to heat up in the next week or so, and that will hopefully mean there is movement on the Pedro situation.