Joao Pedro of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates
Joao Pedro of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates
It is no secret Eddie Howe plans to bolster his Newcastle United frontline this summer and history tells us there will be a specific mould of attacker he will be hoping to secure in the coming months. A quick glance at some of the forwards Howe has brought to St James' Park in recent seasons show that versatility is a huge selling point in the eyes of the Magpies boss.
Anthony Gordon has been used as a winger on both flanks, as a central striker and as a left-sided No 8. Alexander Isak has been moved out wide to play as a left-winger when needed - to accommodate Callum Wilson. Meanwhile, William Osula was another signed as a centre-forward who has spent most of his one season on Tyneside as a right-wing option.
It is no surprise to see Brighton's Joao Pedro high on Newcastle's transfer shortlist this summer, then, given the Brighton and Hove Albion froward has shown his capabilities to operate in multiple positions across the forward line and in the final third since arriving on the south coast.
Taking last season for example, the Brazilian made 16 appearances as Brighton's central striker, helping himself to 13 goal involvements from that position. Pedro also made seven appearances as a second striker, along with a combined four starts either at left-wing or in a deeper, attacking midfield role.
Newcastle are desperate for a right-winger but Pedro was not used on that particular flank under Fabian Hurzeler last term. The striker found the net 10 times across 30 games last season, taking his total tally to 30 in 70 games for Brighton to date. He has also scored 13 out of 14 penalties taken since joining the club.
“He trains it a lot (taking penalties)," Hurzeler told reporters earlier this season. "It’s not only about shooting a penalty, it’s about understanding that it is a situation full of pressure.
"Everyone looks at you. You have to stay calm, find the right technique and find the right corner. So, I think it is also a quality to score that many goals by a penalty.”
Pedro's movement in the channels has also improved of late, with the striker happy to drop deep - as is Hurzeler's preference for his central strikers - before exploiting the channels with defence splitting runs. With Brighton's four attacking outlets often interchanging, Pedro's ability to find pockets of space suits the Seagulls' system.
As for the cost, reports suggest Brighton want close to £60m for the South American star. The club signed Pedro from Watford, back in 2023, for £30m.
Reports suggest Howe could switch from his much-loved 4-3-3 system in order to play another central striker alongside Alexander Isak going forward. This, after resisting such a move for most of his tenure on Tyneside to date.
Meanwhile, Newcastle will push to strengthen their right-sided options after soldiering on with Jacob Murphy as the club's only out-and-out option in that position. Thus allowing Gordon, Osula and Harvey Barnes to be deployed in their favoured, natural roles instead.
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