Chelsea are in Club World Cup action next month.Chelsea are in Club World Cup action next month.
Chelsea are in Club World Cup action next month. | Getty Images
Brighton could once again enter transfer negotiations with familiar customers Chelsea this summer.
Chelsea are pushing to sign Brighton talisman Joao Pedro this summer with the club reportedly keen to negotiate a deal before the start of the Club World Cup next month.
The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge by several outlets but Brazilian publication Ge Globo claim that Chelsea are looking to ‘speed up’ negotiations. Journalist Cahê Mota reported that a £50 million bid has been sent to Brighton.
The south coast club has proved to be a shopping outlet favoured by Chelsea in recent years. The club spent £115 million on midfielder Moises Caicedo in 2023 and £63 million for Marc Cucurella in 2022. Pedro, who is formerly of Watford and Fluminense, has been with the Seagulls since 2023.
Chelsea pushing to recruit striker in time for Club World Cup
The striker has bagged 10 Premier League goals this season with five of those coming in his last eight league outings before picking up a red card against Brentford. Chelsea are known to be in the market for a striker this summer with Christopher Nkunku out of favour and Nicolas Jackson not prolific enough to lead the line.
Pedro was labelled as ‘superb’ earlier this season by Premier League legend Alan Shearer on Match of the Day after a particularly impressive performance against AFC Bournemouth. Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has also spoken highly of his attacker.
Speaking in January, Hurzeler said: “He is already one of my leaders. He is in my leaders group. Therefore, I also treat him like a leader and I demand a lot from him.
“Today he was a role model in working against the ball, doing good counter-pressing, reacting well and supporting his team-mates. That is something I expect from him in every game. He has set high standards and I will judge him exactly after his behaviour today. He was a great leader.”
Joao Pedro linked with Chelsea move
Former Premier League scout Mick Brown is another who has given his take on links between Chelsea and Pedro. The Blues begin their Club World Cup campaign against Leon on June 16.
Brown told Football Insider: “Chelsea have been looking at signing a new striker. They’re not completely satisfied with the ones they’ve got at the moment and they want somebody who can provide a regular source of goals.
“Joao Pedro is one I know they’ve looked at, but there are doubts about his goalscoring record. There’s certainly a player there and at his best he can be excellent, but at his worst, he won’t be.
“Personally, I have doubts about whether he would be an improvement for a team like Chelsea and I know those doubts are shared. I hear he’s spoken to people around him about a move, and he would be interested in Chelsea.
“He wants to make a step up from Brighton as they’re going to miss out on European football again. It’s just a case of whether they decide he’s the right man for the job.“
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