Joao Pedro of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates
Joao Pedro of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates
Newcastle United are no stranger to Brighton striker Joao Pedro, with the Magpies once again expected to pursue the Brazilian after previously missing out on his signature.
Back in 2022, when Pedro was plying his trade with Watford, Eddie Howe and his recruitment team identified the young forward as someone who could help bolster their attacking ranks long into the future. Instead, a lavish new contract was signed at Vicarage Road, before Brighton and Hove Albion swooped in for a club-record £30m move in the summer of 2023.
The Seagulls admitted Pedro had been a long-term target, with his signing adding to the club's ever-expanding arsenal of exciting, young talent. The player, however, openly admitted he was once upset at not making the move to St James' Park before his south coast switch.
“I had this negotiation with Newcastle, until months ago I was upset about not leaving,” he told Brazilian outlet Globe Esporte. “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.”
At one stage, it is not an exaggeration to say, Pedro to Newcastle looked nailed on. World famous transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano even stuck his neck out to state a full agreement had been reached between the two clubs, with a six-year contract set to be signed by Pedro.
As such, Howe was quizzed over a deal being all but confirmed, to which he responded: "That's not entirely accurate but I'm not sort of dealing with these things minute to minute, I'm sort of in the background hearing what's happening but I don't think that's correct."
Romano would later go on to tell Chronicle Live: "From what I know, the Joao Pedro deal between Newcastle and Watford was 100% agreed on that Monday. There was a verbal agreement and everything was fine.
"Joao Pedro was already planning for a medical, he received a communication for a medical in London in the following days. It would have been the first part of the medical, with the second part in Newcastle."
Days after the speculation of Pedro reached fever pitch, the Magpies broke their club-record by signing Alexander Isak. The rest, as they say, is history.
Since then, both Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon have been added to United's frontline, while spending in other areas of the attack have been limited due to PSR restraints. Now, with the financial shackles loosened somewhat, Pedro appears back on the agenda.
The player's Brighton exit looks to be nearing, with Newcastle one of many Premier League clubs credited with interest. Will it be second time lucky for the black and white outfit?
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