Newcastle United want to sign a new forward this summer and Brighton’s Joao Pedro has emerged on their radar.
Pedro was strongly linked with a move to Newcastle United back in 2022 but the club eventually signed Alexander Isak instead, while the Brazilian himself moved from Watford to Brighton.
Newcastle are interested in Pedro again as they look to bring in a player to cover and compete with Isak, with Eddie Howe’s side facing an increased schedule next season after qualifying for the Champions League.
Indeed, Newcastle want to sign a new forward and the 23-year-old is once again a target.
Still, there could be a complication.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
According to Sky Sports, the forward wants first-team football if he is to join a new club this summer.
The Sun have previously suggested Brighton will be looking for around £70million for his services, which looks very expensive indeed.
In fact, Newcastle’s summer transfer budget could be £150million, meaning signing Pedro alone could feasibly eat up more than half of it.
Pedro scored ten goals while registering seven assists in 30 appearances across all competitions for Brighton during the 2024/25 campaign.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
Newcastle are interested in Brighton forward Joao Pedro
Sky Sports News has been told Pedro would only consider a move to a club where he was first-choice striker, which could be a stumbling block to any deal. pic.twitter.com/Nh7UJVRwMV
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 3, 2025
View Tweet
It’s the same old story as Joao Pedro throws spanner in the works at Newcastle
Liam Delap snubbed Newcastle for Chelsea, reportedly because of the fact Isak is the club’s starting central striker.
Given the Sweden star is too good to drop when fully fit, it’s hard to see how Newcastle get around this problem.
It’s not easy convincing a top-level player to come in and back up Isak, even if there would be games in which he’ll start considering the increased schedule.
Games Minutes Played Goals Assists
30 2,136 10 7
Joao Pedro stats for Brighton during 2024/25 season
Pedro was upset he didn’t sign for Newcastle in 2022, but the situation has changed since. He’s now a much more established player, while Isak has emerged as one of the best forwards in the world.
While he can operate in attacking midfield, as a support striker and out on the left, the Brazilian does not look keen to battle Isak for a regular starting berth.