- Chelsea and Newcastle are in a transfer battle for Brighton forward Joao Pedro following his impressive Premier League season
- Pedro is reportedly eager to leave Brighton this summer and prefers a move to Chelsea due to his desire to live in London
- Brighton rejected Newcastle’s £50m bid and are holding firm on their £60m valuation of the Brazilian attacker
Joao Pedro is attracting serious interest from both Chelsea and Newcastle United after delivering an impactful season at Brighton.
The 23-year-old forward, who scored 10 goals and provided six assists in the Premier League, is now a top target in the transfer market.
Brighton have already turned down a £50 million offer from Newcastle, which included £45 million upfront and £5 million in add-ons.
The club has made it clear they will only consider selling Pedro if they receive a £60 million transfer fee.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have made their own move, initiating talks with Brighton as they search for a dynamic and adaptable forward.
With Pedro reportedly eager to make a summer switch, Chelsea’s approach adds fuel to the growing competition.
Pedro was signed from Watford for £30 million two years ago.
However, his time at Brighton recently saw friction, including a training ground altercation with teammate Jan Paul van Hecke, which led to his omission from the squad for the final two matches of the Premier League season.
The Brazilian has already informed Brighton of his desire to leave. According to teammate Igor Julio, Pedro prefers a move to London and would likely favour Chelsea over Newcastle, as he is keen to experience life in the capital.
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler recently commented that he expects both Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma to return for pre-season.
Despite transfer rumours, the club continues to prepare with both players in mind for the coming campaign.
Joao Pedro has featured in 70 matches for Brighton, scoring 30 goals and contributing 10 assists since his arrival.
As transfer negotiations intensify, his future remains one of the most closely watched sagas this window.