It was claimed last week that Joao Pedro was joining Newcastle United, but now it looks like that will not be the case.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano stated that a deal for the Brazilian had been agreed with Watford, with the Magpies set to pay £30million for the 20-year-old. He even claimed that he would sign a six-year deal at St James’ Park.
However, he was met with a barrage of other journalists stating that this is not the case.
Now it looks like Romano was wrong, and that the other reports were right. He was wrong to say ‘here we go’, and hasn’t done his reputation of being a ‘transfer expert’ any favours.
Newcastle’s move for Alexander Isak cast doubt over Pedro joining the club as well, and now the Telegraph’s Luke Edwards has provided an update.
Joao Pedro deal is off – he’s not coming to Newcastle
As Toon fans prepare for the unveiling of Isak, it looks like Pedro will not be joining him on Tyneside.
According to Edwards, Newcastle’s interest in Pedro is ‘over’ for this summer after talks over a deal stalled.
He wrote on Twitter: “NUFC interest in Joao Pedro is over for this transfer window. As reported earlier this week, Magpies had not agreed a fee or deal with Watford. Talks stalled on Monday. Have since signed Isak which is likely to mean it is only loans being looked at until deadline day.”
Edwards and other reporters were right all along about Pedro. While others jumped the gun, they stood by what they had heard about a deal not being agreed between Newcastle and Watford.
They received some flack from Toon fans for it, but it looks like their information was correct after all.
One to revisit in the future
While Pedro isn’t joining Newcastle this summer, he could be on to revisit in the future. He was reportedly keen on a move to the Magpies and wanted to play alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
That won’t happen this season, but it shouldn’t be ruled out in years to come. Dan Ashworth and co clearly rate Pedro very highly – that’s why they wanted to sign him in the first place.
If he continues to impress in a Watford shirt or wherever else he goes, Newcastle will likely be keeping an eye on him.
The club have shown they are willing to come back to deals that they have missed out on. Sven Botman didn’t sign in January but has now, and the same thing nearly happened with Hugo Ekitike.
But with Isak on his way for a club record fee, a £30million move for Pedro as well would have been surprising.
Newcastle will hopefully still be active in the transfer window once Isak is confirmed, but it appears that the Pedro deal is dead in the water for now.
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