Newcastle United were desperate to sign a striker in the summer of 2022.
They managed to do just that, with Alexander Isak arriving from Real Sociedad for £63million. He became Newcastle United’s most expensive signing ever, and continues to be money well spent.
However, Newcastle United target a few other forwards before landing the super Swede.
The Magpies targeted Benjamin Sesko and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, while they were also very keen to sign Hugo Ekitike from Stade Reims. Sadly for Newcastle, they missed out to PSG.
Now with Eintracht Frankfurt, Ekitike is proving Newcastle were right about him, as he begins to justify why the Toon recruitment team were so desperate to sign him.
And the same goes for Joao Pedro, who also almost signed for Eddie Howe’s side that summer.
Newcastle United tried to sign Joao Pedro in 2022
In August 2022, Newcastle United made their move to sign Joao Pedro from Watford. It came on the back of the Hornets being relegated to the Championship, as Newcastle prepared to offer the Brazilian an immediate route back to the Premier League.
After a bit of back and forth, Newcastle agreed a £30million deal for Pedro. That was according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who had Toon fans believing that their striker search was over.
Four days later, Newcastle’s striker search was over. However, it was Isak arriving at St James’ Park, with a club-record deal coming completely out of the blue.
Pedro to Newcastle was off, much to the disappointment of the young forward.
One year later, Brighton did what Newcastle failed to do and signed Pedro from Watford for £30million.
How much Joao Pedro is now worth as Newcastle admire from afar
He has proven to be a very smart investment, with Pedro shining on the south coast for the Seagulls.
The 23-year-old scored 20 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions last season, while the 2024/25 campaign is going well too. Pedro has got seven goal contributions in 10 Premier League appearances so far, with an ankle injury limiting his minutes at the Amex Stadium.
But while Newcastle will be very happy they signed Isak ahead of Pedro, he has proven that the Toon recruitment team were right to target him.
They were barking up the right three, with TBR Football insider Graeme Bailey telling Geordie Boot Boys that Brighton now value Pedro at £100million.
“He’s one that got away for Newcastle,” he said.
“Newcastle still love him, they always did. They came very close to signing him. Dan Ashworth always wanted him.
“At the time, it wasn’t immediately evident as to why Newcastle loved him so much.
“Now Brighton value him at £100million. From their point of view, they sold Moises Caicedo for more than £100million, and they will say that Joao Pedro is only just 23-years-old, a Brazil international and a striker, which makes him even more valuable.”
While Newcastle may still admire Pedro, there is no chance he will be making his way to St James’ Park if Brighton continue to value him at £100million.
He is certainly one that got away for the Magpies, even if missing out on Pedro coincided with Alexander Isak arriving.
However, if it was a choice between the two, I can comfortably say every Newcastle United fan would pick Isak ahead of Pedro.
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