Newcastle United ‘in the mix’ to sign £30m Brazilian as Liverpool & Aston Villa-linked target nears exit

Newcastle United reportedly remain interested in Watford star Joao Pedro and could make another attempt to land the Brazilian forward at the end of the season.

The Magpies were heavily linked with a move for the 21-year-old in the final weeks of last summer’s transfer window and are believed to have made several unsuccessful bids to tempt the Championship club into selling one of their prize assets. All speculation was ended when United switched their attention towards a club record deal for Real Sociedad and Sweden striker Alexander Isak and left Pedro to focus on Watford’s attempts to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

The Hornets persuaded the former Fluminense prospect to put pen-to-paper on a new contract in September as he committed his future to the club until the summer of 2028. Speaking at the time, he posted on Instagram: “I’m very happy here. I love being at Watford and I want to do more with them. I spoke to the board yesterday and I am fully committed to the club and looking forward to a successful season. Let's go Hornets.”

Pedro’s form has been solid, with the forward scoring nine goals and providing two assists in 28 appearances in all competitions, but he looks increasingly unlikely to be making a return to the Premier League with the Hornets as they lie five points and four places shy of the Championship play-off spots with eight games remaining.

However, he could be handed the chance to return to the top tier with Newcastle after The Athletic’s Adam Leventhal revealed the Magpies are ‘in the mix’ for a summer move - but could face competition from Italian giants AC Milan, who are said to be ‘monitoring’ his situation.

One other former Newcastle target could also be leaving Vicarage Road this summer with The Athletic reporting Ismaila Sarr could be allowed to depart this summer after receiving interest from the Magpies, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace over the last year.