Brighton are planning for the future with Newcastle United target Joao Pedro
Joao Pedro of Brighton & Hove Albion with Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler
Brighton and Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler insists Joao Pedro will be back with his team-mates when the Seagulls return to pre-season next week. This, after Newcastle saw a £50m bid for his services rejected in recent days.
The Magpies see the 23-year-old as the ideal attacking arrival for Eddie Howe this summer but Brighton are set to hold out for £60m for the Brazilian. Hurzeler, who dropped Pedro from Brighton's final two Premier League games last season due to a training ground altercation, has continued to insist the player has a future on the South Coast.
"Yeah for sure," the Brighton boss told Sky Sports, when asked if Pedro and team-mate Kaoru Mitoma will be back at Brighton for the start of pre-season.
"I'm really looking forward for both of them. They are great players, they helped us last season. They are expected to be back next week."
Mitoma has been linked with Arsenal and Bayern Munich in recent weeks, while Chelsea are also said to be keen on a move for Pedro. The former was bought for a mere £2.7m in the summer of 2021, before the latter arrived at the Amex Stadium for £30m two years later.
Selling both men would see Brighton continue their exemplary record of making eye-watering profit on first-team talent. For Newcastle, meanwhile, a move of £60m would see Pedro become the club's second most expensive signing of all time.
The Magpies also have their eyes on a right-winger, a striker and defensive reinforcements both at centre-back and in between the sticks. Newcastle know they are on a healthier financial standing than this time 12 months ago but will be cautious not to overpay for Premier League targets.
Howe is keen to get players through the door before the club's pre-season opener with Celtic in mid-July and moves are now being to get the ball rolling on incoming deals.
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