Newcastle United missed out on Brighton star Joao Pedro to Chelsea earlier this week.
Joao Pedro reportedly snubbed Newcastle United as he believes Chelsea gives him the best chance of making Brazil’s World Cup squad next year.
Toon chiefs shortlisted the Brighton star as one of their main transfer targets having missed out three years ago. In 2022, Pedro appeared set to join the Magpies until a deal collapsed at the last minute.
Newcastle launched a record-breaking bid for Alexander Isak, with Pedro ultimately leaving Watford for Brighton. He has since established himself as a rising star in the Premier League.
With the Magpies in their healthiest PSR situation for three windows, Pedro was sounded out as a summer target. The Brazilian bagged 10 goals last season and his versatility as a forward was admired.
Chelsea frustrating Newcastle United
A bid worth around £50million had been rejected but Newcastle felt confident in getting their man. However, Chelsea - whose spending is becoming a thorn in United’s side - made the breakthrough earlier this week.
The Blues are closing in on £2billion worth of incomings since a Todd Boehly-led consortium bought the club from Roman Abramovich. Pedro is set to be the latest addition to join an ever-growing squad packed with big-money stars.
World Cup 2026 named as reason
There have been suggestions that a London move played a key factor in Pedro snubbing Newcastle. His Brighton teammate, Igor Julio, let slip last month that he would prefer a switch to the capital.
But in a new bombshell revelation, talkSPORT claim Pedro chose Chelsea to improve his chances of making next year’s World Cup. Carlo Ancelotti has recently been appointed as Brazil manager, with Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton both senior internationals.
The scale of options at Stamford Bridge makes that notion puzzling as Pedro is jostling for first-team action with, wait for it, Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap, Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer, Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu, Andrey Santos, Estevao Willian and the incoming Jamie Gittens.
A move to Tyneside could have seen Eddie Howe evolve his system and play Pedro behind Isak. Newcastle are understood to have already changed tack and are considering exploring the European market.
Read More
Alan Pardew on Joao Pedro
Former Toon boss Alan Pardew has highlighted what Newcastle are missing out on. He said earlier this week: "They're going to spread the payments, which, again gets around the rules, etc. A great signing for them.
"I'm a big fan of his. They have got it in time. Wow. I think that's a first-class player and will fit well with all those young players around him. Newcastle will be absolutely distraught about that.
"Chelsea's model is based around young players and young attacking players don't really lose much value so I can see that this is a safe bet for them. He's out of contract soon and they have taken him on. This fee looks excessive, but Newcastle wanted him.
"He's established, he can play through the middle, he can play off the side. He gives you great variation so I think he's a great player. It's a big fee but I think he can justify that fee."
Continue Reading