Newcastle United are ready to step up their pursuit of Joao Pedro after identifying the Brighton and Hove Albion forward as the ideal profile to bolster Eddie Howe’s attack.
As revealed by Telegraph Sport, Howe initially targeted Bryan Mbeumo this summer but the Brentford forward is heading towards Manchester United in a deal worth more than £60 million.
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Newcastle have now turned to Pedro, who is rated just as highly at St James’ Park, and Howe has been tracking the 23-year-old’s progress since he moved from Fluminense to Watford in 2020 as a teenager.
His technical ability, pace and strength has seen him targeted as a player considered at Newcastle previously.
The Newcastle manager has been looking to add a wide forward who can cut inside with Pedro seen as the ideal candidate to support Alexander Isak as centre-forward while also being able to play through the middle himself.
Brighton are expected to want upwards of £60 million for the forward who they landed from Watford in a club-record £30 million deal two seasons ago.
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He has since reached double-figures for goals in his two seasons at the Amex Stadium, although was left out of the matchday squad at the end of the last campaign over a training ground clash.
“We dealt with it internally and the matter is closed,” said head coach Fabian Hürzeler. “There are principles that are non-negotiable and count for everyone – that everyone has to stick to - where we don’t make any compromises.”
Despite the clash, Brighton were fully expecting Pedro to return to the squad, although they are now braced for bids for their forward.
Howe used Jacob Murphy on the right-side of his attack last season, although the 30-year-old can also be used as a wing-back as well as a forward. Harvey Barnes was also used as a wide forward.
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With the club returning to the Champions League, Howe is expected to bolster his squad over the summer.
The Premier League transfer window is open between June 1 and June 10 because of the Club World Cup and will then reopen on June 16 until September 1.