The Magpies are on a PSR tightrope and will stick to their valuations and budgets despite rampant Chelsea's aggressive approach
Brighton's Brazilian striker Joao Pedro
Newcastle United refused to get into a bidding war with a Chelsea side that are stockpiling players.
As reported last night on Chronicle Live, Newcastle are now assessing their options after negotiations with Brighton & Hove Albion last week. Talks with Burnley to sign James Trafford will resume today and Newcastle will assess other forwards with sporting director Paul Mitchell to leave at the close of play tonight.
The Magpies submitted a £50m bid for the Brazil international before being told to return with more. Sources on the South Coast this morning insist that the Blues' successful bid was worth £60m plus a potential £5m more in add-ons.
But it is perhaps the staggering seven-year deal that will make Pedro for life that has swung the deal. Like the talks for Bryan Mbeumo, Newcastle have essentially been outbid on earnings.
Pedro's lucrative deal is expected to be beyond the £150,000 per week top wage packet Newcastle are currently able to offer, and the fact it is a deal over seven years means the South American will cost the Blues millions in total.
Newcastle were keen on Pedro and held conversations with both Brighton and the player's agency Promanager. But while Chelsea, who have already signed stars like Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Estevao, could have done the deal earlier, they were quietly monitoring the Pedro situation despite spending £170m already this summer.
As Newcastle advanced in talks with Albion, Chelsea accelerated their own interest over the weekend and snatched the deal. Pedro will now jet over to the US to complete the deal with the Blues taking on Palmeiras in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup.
But there is also some common sense from the Newcastle side too. While Pedro was a target Newcastle were never going to be dragged into a bidding war, which applies to all targets because head coach Eddie Howe does not want to endanger the chance to sign a clutch of players this summer for the sake of one astronomical deal.
Newcastle have their valuations for every player, and 30 goals and 10 assists in 70 matches represent a modest return for a Brighton side he has inspired to 11th and eighth place.
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