Joao Pedro was omitted from the Brighton squad that beat Liverpool on Monday night as the Brazilian was involved in a training ground bust-up with a team-mate
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Joao Pedro
Joao Pedro's Brighton future is up in the air after a training ground bust-up with a team-mate
(Image: Andrew Kearns/CameraSport)
Joao Pedro, who has reportedly emerged as a Liverpool transfer target, was not included in Brighton's matchday squad for their dramatic win over the Reds on Monday. His absence, however, wasn't due to awkward transfer links, but rather an 'altercation' with a Seagulls team-mate.
The 23-year-old Brazilian had just served a three-match suspension and was eligible for selection in the 3-2 clash at the Amex Stadium. Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler addressed the omission post-match, stating that Pedro missed the fixture due to "private reasons."
Pedro's exclusion happened just as talk intensified about his future, with Liverpool among the sides reportedly weighing up a move as the transfer window approaches. According to The Athletic, the incident happened on the training ground and involved Jan Paul van Hecke in the lead-up to Brighton's recent clash against Wolves.
Though Pedro was already banned for the match after a red card versus Brentford in April, the dispute added further complications. Pedro and Van Hecke have been central to Brighton's campaign, appearing in 27 and 33 Premier League matches respectively.
Pedro is currently tied as Brighton's top scorer this term, having struck 10 times. Since arriving from Watford for £30million in 2023, Pedro has scored 30 goals in 70 outings, and interest in him is rising rapidly, according to The Telegraph.
Liverpool, along with Arsenal and Chelsea, are among those eyeing the striker. The Reds, keen to strengthen their attacking options, see Pedro's ability to operate in multiple roles up front as a major asset.
Jan Paul van Hecke
Pedro is understood to have had "an altercation" with Jan Paul van Hecke
However, he is under contract at Brighton until 2028, which gives the south coast club plenty of leverage should they decide to sell. It's understood that, since the training ground bust-up, the Seagulls are open to a sale, but only for the right price, which may exceed the £50m mark.
Liverpool are expected to be busy in the transfer market this summer, having made just one major addition to the squad this season in the form of Federico Chiesa. A new centre forward signing could be on the cards, particularly if Darwin Nunez leaves the club in the coming months.
The newly-crowned Premier League champions reportedly have plenty of money to play with, having set some aside to replace Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. But with both players extending their contracts, that money can be invested elsewhere.
Joao Pedro celebrates a Brighton goal
Joao Pedro is linked with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea
Jeremie Frimpong is reportedly on the verge of joining, with the Bayer Leverkusen full-back expected to fill in as Real Madrid-bound Trent Alexander-Arnold's replacement. Liverpool are also keen on Frimpong's club-mate Florian Wirtz, and are thought to be vying with Bayern Munich in a fight for his signature, with Manchester City recently dropping out of the race.
The German playmaker, who was central to Leverkusen's Bundesliga-winning campaign last season, is one of the most highly-rated midfielders in Europe, and is expected to cost upwards of £100m. Leverkusen have reportedly set an asking price of £126m, meaning Liverpool will have to blow their transfer record out of the water to bring Wirtz to Anfield.