Premier League striker interested in Newcastle United move - on one condition
Joao Pedro almost joined Newcastle United in the summer of 2022.
Newcastle United are again linked with a move for Brighton & Hove Albion striker Joao Pedro.
It comes three years after the Magpies almost signed the Brazilian from Watford. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed a deal worth £30million was in place and that Pedro had agreed terms over a contract until 2028.
However, a move did not materialise and Newcastle ended up signing Alexander Isak for a club-record £63m. Isak has proven to be a sensational signing for Eddie Howe’s side with his 62 goals in 109 appearances ranking him among the best strikers in Europe.
Pedro, meanwhile, joined Brighton in the summer of 2023 and has scored 30 goals in 70 outings. He is under contract at the Amex Stadium for another three years but is being tipped to leave this summer.
The 23-year-old was left out of the Seagulls’ remaining two matches of last season following reported a bust-up with teammate Jan Paul van Hecke. With interest emerging from clubs in the Premier League and Europe, boss Fabian Hurzeler may feel it is suitable to cash in.
Sky Sports: Newcastle United interested in Joao Pedro
And according to Sky Sports News, Newcastle are among the teams interested. However, there is an immediate stumbling block as they claim Pedro would only consider a move if he was first choice striker. On Tyneside, he would be behind Isak in the pecking order.
The report reads: “Newcastle United are interested in signing Brighton forward Joao Pedro. Pedro has a number of admirers in the Premier League and Europe, and Newcastle are one of the clubs who have him on a shortlist of possible striker options.
“The forward is a close friend of Bruno Guimaeres - a fellow Brazilian in the North East - however, 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.
“Newcastle are buoyed by an influx of Champions League money and keen to strengthen their squad before their return to Europe’s elite competition.”
The fee would also likely to be an issue with Brighton valuing Pedro at £70m, as per The Sun. While United are understood to be in a strong financial position heading into the summer, there are other positions, i.e right forward and centre-back, that will take priority over a back-up striker.
Alexander Isak will stay at Newcastle United
Newcastle have made it pretty clear Isak will be going nowhere this summer. As reported by Mail Online in March, the club’s chairman and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan has told the club’s hierarchy to “resist any offers for his favourite player”.
Head coach Eddie Howe is also in agreement. He said earlier this year: “He's not for sale from my perspective. I want to build a squad, I want the strongest squad possible for next season. There's a lot to look forward to here, hopefully.
“We want to keep our best players. I think I’ve made that very clear. That’s not just the wish from me, that’s the wish from everyone at the club. I don’t have a crystal ball. I can’t sit here and say what’s going to happen.
“I can only say what my determination is and it is to build a team, the best team possible and to do that you can’t consistently lose your best players.”