Brighton forward Joao Pedro is closing in on a move to Chelsea after the two clubs reached an agreement, with the Brazil international set to sign a seven-year deal
20:22, 29 Jun 2025
Enzo Maresca's Chelsea are spending big again this summer
Enzo Maresca's Chelsea are spending big again this summer(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea and Brighton are said to have reached an agreement for the transfer of Joao Pedro.
The Brazilian international is poised to ink a seven-year deal at Stamford Bridge following successful negotiations, according to the Athletic's David Ornstein. The 23-year-old's transfer fee is believed to be £55million plus an additional £5m in add-ons, providing Europa Conference League winner Enzo Maresca with the versatile forward he desired.
Chelsea have long admired Pedro and initiated contact with Brighton about a potential move just over 10 days ago. He is expected to become the Blues' fifth summer signing, joining striker Liam Delap for £30m, midfielder Dario Essugo for £18.5m, defender Mamadour Sarr for £12m, plus winger Jamie Gittens for an anticipated £55.5m, which would take the Blues' summer spending to the £176m mark.
With the ability to play as a striker or slightly further back, Chelsea will be adding an exciting talent to their squad. This acquisition likely ends any formal pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike or Napoli's Victor Osimhen, both of whom were linked with the club, reports Football London.
A number of high-profile departures are now anticipated, with Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku most likely to leave and generate substantial funds.
Joao Pedro of Brighton & Hove Albion is thanking the traveling fans during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion at Selhurst Park in London, on December 21, 2023. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Brighton hotshot Joao Pedro looks set to leave Brighton for Chelsea(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Nkunku netted a crucial goal in the Club World Cup last-16 victory over Benfica, but it appears that could be his final contribution with his successor already identified.
Unlike Gittens, who has already strutted his stuff for Borussia Dortmund in the American tournament, Pedro is set to make his Chelsea debut in the coming days.
The plan is for him to have his medical in Brazil before jetting off to the States to meet his new squad mates.
Pedro bagged 10 goals in 27 games in the Premier League last season, following a nine-goal haul in 31 outings in the league previous campaign.
He's about to become the fourth Brighton player to tread this path in recent years, following Moises Caicedo, Robert Sanchez and Marc Cucurella.
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Unlike Gittens, who has already played for Borussia Dortmund, the idea is for Pedro to link up with the Chelsea team at the Club World Cup.