Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Brighton forward Joao Pedro, who looks set to leave the Seagulls this summer.
The Magpies are set to be busy this summer following Newcastle United’s dramatic Champions League qualification on the final day of the Premier League season.
The feeling inside the club was that Champions League football would be a ‘game-changer’ for Newcastle, who are now in a much better position to sign their top targets this summer.
Reports stated that Newcastle’s top targets demanded they play Champions League football. They could be swayed towards the Magpies now that qualification has been confirmed.
Brighton forward Joao Pedro will also surely be leaning towards a move to Tyneside this summer after the Seagulls missed out on Europe. It was recently reported by Fabrizio Romano that Pedro is free to leave Brighton this summer, with the Brazilian’s price tag set at £60m.
Newcastle came very close to signing Pedro in 2022, but the move broke down in its final stages, and the Magpies signed Alexander Isak instead. That decision has proved to be the right one, but now Eddie Howe could bring another quality striker to the club to play alongside his super Swede.
With Newcastle seriously considering a move for the young attacker this summer, here is what Pedro said about his failed move to the Magpies a year after the deal collapsed.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Joao Pedro was ‘upset’ by failed Newcastle United move
Despite the failed move, Pedro has gone on to make a name for himself at Brighton, scoring 30 goals in 70 appearances for the Seagulls.
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However, it now looks like his time on the South Coast is coming to an end, with Fabian Hurzeler happy to cash in on the 23-year-old, who netted on 10 occasions in the Premier League this season.
Newcastle are looking to sign a striker this summer and have the financial muscle to sign a high-value player, so there is a good chance Newcastle will be in discussion with Brighton over a move for Pedro.
However, the deal could have been done for much cheaper three years ago, while Pedro was still at Watford.
In an interview with Globo Esporte in 2023, Pedro shared how disappointed he was that the deal never materialised.
“I had this negotiation with Newcastle, until months ago I was upset about not leaving,” he said.
“However, I said ‘now is my moment at Watford, I have to make it happen, since it didn’t happen, this time it will happen.’
“I made it happen last season and I think it was the best way for Brighton, it’s a club that gives opportunities to young people, it believes in us. I made the right choice, I’m very happy here.”
A new striker dilemma at Newcastle United
The club have been hard at work for months at Newcastle, writing up a list of transfer targets and assigning scouts to look far and wide for the next special talents.
It is no secret Newcastle want to sign a new striker this summer, despite the news that Callum Wilson was offered a new incentive-based deal at the club.
However, it is still down to Wilson to say whether he wants to stay on Tyneside or not.
With Newcastle working working on new signings, he now has a big dilemma over whom he signs to play either second fiddle or alongside Isak next season.
Newcastle have been linked with Liam Delap and have even held two rounds of talks with the Ipswich Town star over a potential move. While Newcastle are one of the leading candidates for his signature, Delap may be swayed by the promise of first-team football elsewhere.
With Pedro now also in the mix, Newcastle must decide whether to spend the extra £30m on the Brazilian or look to sign the cheaper option in Delap.