Joao Pedro fronted up on failed Newcastle transfer as £59m move sparks back into life

Joao Pedro has impressed at Brighton since joining in 2023 (Image: Getty)

Joao Pedro is once again attracting attention from Newcastle United, having previously been left “upset” by a failed move to St. James’ Park collapsing. Newcastle confirmed Champions League football on the final day of the Premier League season and are looking to add reinforcements this summer.

Bryan Mbeumo had emerged as a target for the Magpies, but the Brentford attacker appears to be favouring a move to Manchester United instead. As such, it’s reported by Sky Sports that Newcastle are set to reignite interest in the former Watford man.

It was during his time with the Hornets when Newcastle were last sniffing around Pedro, but the North East-based outfit opted to sign Alexander Isak for a club-record £63million instead. An impressive 62 goals in 109 matches later and it’s clear the Isak move has been a success for Newcastle, yet it didn’t quell Pedro’s disappointment at the time.

Speaking to Globo Esporte in 2023, he said: “I had this negotiation with Newcastle, until months ago I was upset about not leaving. However, I said ‘now is my moment at Watford, I have to make it happen, since it didn’t happen, this time it will happen.”

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Joao Pedro attracted transfer attention from Newcastle when he was at Watford (Image: Getty)

Pedro continued to impress at Watford and eventually earned a move to his current club, Brighton, in June 2023. Since then, he’s played 70 times for the Seagulls, scoring 30 goals and assisting a further 10 - performances that have pricked the ears of potential suitors Newcastle.

He’s likely to cost much more than the £30m Brighton paid for him two summers ago though, with Sky Sports having touted a fee in the region of £59m instead. Hopes of landing the 23-year-old could be made difficult, given it’s said Pedro would prefer to be the first-choice striker at whichever club he signs for - something that is unlikely to happen at Newcastle unless Isak leaves.

Regardless, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is expecting a busy summer transfer window following a season that not only saw Newcastle finish inside the Champions League spots, but also win their first piece of silverware in 56 years. Speaking after the conclusion of the Premier League season, Howe said: "Difficult to say on numbers, but I do think it's a window that we have to be active in and I'm sure we will be.

“We haven't recruited strongly in three windows and I think eventually, that can catch up with you in the end if you continue not to change because change is an important part of the squad dynamic. I think we feel that and I think we potentially felt that last summer as well, so I think that's why the players have done so well to carry the success through. Yes, it is going to be a big transfer window."