BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Brighton & Hove Albion's Joao Pedro looks on before the match during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Gtech Community Stadium on April 19, 2025 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler described the matter as 'closed' but Joao Pedro's final act as a Seagulls player may leave a bitter taste for fans on the south coast. Linked with Newcastle United, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal in recent months, the Brazilian is a hot prospect - even if he has also been branded 'hot-headed'.
Pedro missed Brighton's final two games of the Premier League season after an alleged altercation with defender Jan Paul van Hecke during training. This, just months after a blatant and malicious swing of the elbow in the direction of Brentford's Yehor Yarmolyuk added to fears of the attacker's supposed bad attitude.
"We had a small issue in training - a type which isn't uncommon from time to time in all football clubs. We dealt with it internally and the matter is closed. Joao is an incredible football player. He's a match winner for us," Brighton boss Hurzeler said towards the back end of the campaign.
Discussing the incident further, Hurzeler added: "Joao is still a young player and there's still a lot of potential where he will grow. I'm sure that he will learn from this and come back strong next season."
Whether Pedro will be a Brighton player next term remains to be seen. Reports this week, namely from Sky Sports, suggest Newcastle are once again keen on signing the forward.
The Magpies were keen to poach Pedro as he headed for the exit door at Watford, with a move, at one stage, thought to be close. In the end, it was Brighton who pipped all other suitors to the player's signature for a fee of £30m.
Howe has always sought to sign only the correct type of characters for his St James' Park dressing room but, equally, has never shied away from pursuing players who have a bit of edge about them. Hugo Ekitike was one fellow attacker eyed during his time at both Reims and Paris Saint-Germain despite warnings over his temperament.
Meanwhile, tales from Merseyside suggested Anthony Gordon's attitude was a negative attached to his profile as he arrived on Tyneside. However, since an angry reaction to being substituted at Brentford early in his Newcastle career, the winger has matured to become one of the most senior stars in Howe's plans.
Newcastle chiefs, should they continue to pursue Pedro this summer, will be confident the head coach can again work his magic in channelling the player's energy in a positive way.
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