Yankuba Minteh of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates scoring his team's first goal
As of Friday, Newcastle had seen an offer of £50m rejected for Brighton's Joao Pedro.
Chronicle Live reported talks were at an advanced stage, with the Magpies urged to up their offer to £60m in order to get the ball rolling on a deal. Pedro is said to be keen on a move to Tyneside, with terms not expected to be an issue.
Many of a black and white persuasion will no doubt believe a fee of that nature is too high for a temperamental youngster, who, from the outside, does not have a natural starting role in Eddie Howe's side. However, in today's market, £60m is what it will take to force a Premier League rival to part ways with an exciting - and experienced - youngster.
Pedro, 23, has been admired by the Newcastle boss - and clubs scouts - for some time. His goalscoring record at Brighton stands at 30 in 70 and his ability to play in multiple positions only adds to the positives.
Howe is no stranger to signing attackers who can occupy more than one role, comfortably, in the final third. Anthony Gordon can play in any position across the front three, while Alexander Isak and William Osula have also both been used through the middle and out wide at various stages.
Reports suggest Howe could switch from his much-loved 4-3-3 system in order to play another central striker alongside Isak going forward. Pedro has been used as a centre-forward and a deep-lying second striker in recent months on the south coast, flourishing in a number of roles under Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler.
Age is an important factor in this pursuit too. United, specifically Howe, want young and hungry arrivals through the door this summer.
Other targets, such as James Trafford, is 22, Anthony Elanga is 23 and Marc Guehi is 24. Exciting assets who would improve Newcastle now - and long into the future.
Brighton pounced, beating Newcastle, to Pedro's signature as he left Watford in 2023. £30m was the outlay, which could have been considered a risk for a raw attacker with some way to go to reach his ceiling.
Fast forward to present day and if Newcastle baulk at the £60m valuation for Pedro's services, another Premier League club will likely jump on the chance to take the Brazilian from the Amex Stadium.
As such, Newcastle will need to move quick. And despite a significant chunk of Howe's budget being required for the sale, Pedro feels like a signing straight from the manger's playbook as he looks to further enhance his attacking options.
There is a feeling the forward is not the finished article and after the success of Gordon, Isak, Harvey Barnes, Sven Botman and Bruno Guimaraes since their St James' Park arrival, confidence will be high Howe can again work his magic with another exciting addition.
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