Newcastle United have tried and failed to sign Joao Pedro, as Chelsea swoop in.
There was hope that Newcastle United could land the Brazilian, but Joao Pedro is going to Chelsea for around £50million instead.
It has been reported that Pedro wants to live in London, as Chelsea get set to sign another attacker that Eddie Howe has wanted to add to his Newcastle United squad. First it was Liam Delap, now it is Joao Pedro.
Whether Joao Pedro actually wanted to join Newcastle United
While Pedro has chosen to move to Stamford Bridge, he was not fully against the idea of St James’ Park becoming his new home.
Joao Pedro celebrates after scoring for Brighton against Newcastle United in the FA Cup.
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images
That is according to TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey, who has spoken to Geordie Boot Boys about Pedro’s looming transfer from Brighton to Chelsea.
“Chelsea have moved to get it done,” he said.
“I was told that Pedro was very much open to working with Eddie Howe. Newcastle were very interested in him. They knew there was a chance of getting him, otherwise they would not have made an official approach. That is not how football works nowadays.”
Eddie Howe ‘frustrated’ as Newcastle United miss out on Joao Pedro
While Newcastle fans are not frustrated about the Pedro situation, Howe is.
That is according to Bailey, who has also spoken to Geordie Boot Boys about Newcastle’s internal reaction to missing out on the 23-year-old.
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“But Chelsea have got it done, much to the frustration of Eddie Howe,” he added.
“I am told he is cutting somewhat of a frustrated figure behind the scenes.
“Mbeumo was disappointing, but Joao Pedro was a player who Newcastle have liked for a really long time. He would have been a great fit, but there are other options out there.”
In terms of attacking alternatives, Newcastle remain interested in Anthony Elanga. The Magpies have had a £45million bid rejected, with Forest determined to keep Elanga at the City Ground.