Newcastle United signing Joao Pedro could actually save PIF millions, he fixes another problem

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Newcastle United are interested in signing Brighton forward Joao Pedro this summer, with the Brazilian reportedly keen on a move to Tyneside.

It is no shock that after securing Champions League football, Eddie Howe is eager to fill in the gaps that have been made at the club over the last 12 months due to unlikely departures.

The right wing is the position most in need of improvement at Newcastle United, with Jacob Murphy Howe’s only genuine option in that part of the pitch. Many thought they had a clear successor to the position when Yankuba Minteh signed in 2023, but he was unwillingly sold to Brighton to help ease their PSR concerns.

The Magpies need bodies this summer and have identified Brighton attacker Joao Pedro as an option to sign. Newcastle came close to signing Pedro in 2022, but backed out of the deal when Alexander Isak became available.

Now in 2025, Pedro is eager to sign for Newcastle after a promising season on the South Coast, scoring 10 and bagging six assists in the Premier League. With Newcastle motivated to sign Pedro, a new statistic has been shared which will only make Howe want to sign him more.

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Statistic shows Joao Pedro could play right-wing for Newcastle United

By no means will the 23-year-old come cheap. It has been reported that Brighton want around £60m from Newcastle for Pedro. It is a fee that the Magpies can afford this summer, but perhaps not one that they are willing to part with for one player.

Pedro’s exit from the Seagulls looks even more likely after Brighton agreed a deal for Charalampos Kostoulas worth around £30m. Selling Pedro could effectively pay for the Greek striker twice over.

While a striker’s key responsibility is to score goals, Pedro has proven that he is versatile by playing as an attacking midfielder and on the left wing during last season, so it should not be a major issue if he were to move onto the right.

Additionally, Pedro is ranked fifth in Europe for strikers aged 23 and under for chances created in the top five leagues. He beats the likes of Liam Delap and Rasmus Hojlund in that department.

If he can create the chances as a striker, why is there any need to doubt whether he can do it on the wing either? While he is not a natural right winger, Pedro still has the qualities to play in that position. A deal would save PIF millions on signing a better option than Murphy and still give the 30-year-old a good chance of playing next season.

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Newcastle United have a secret weapon in the bid to sign Joao Pedro

Pedro joining Newcastle looks like it will be something that happens during the summer transfer window. Howe has made it clear that he wants to bring new players to the club and has already engaged in conversation with PIF to ensure the funding is there.

Once Newcastle find the right winger they are so eager to sign, they can then focus on other positions that are in need of improvement, like centre-back.

Newcastle could be in for an easy ride in negotiations with Pedro if they can get some help from two fellow Brazilians. Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton have played with Pedro for the Brazil national team this year, so they have likely developed a positive relationship with him.

The pair could work together and convince Pedro why Newcastle are the right club to join, and give Howe a much better chance of signing him. Like Howe, Guimaraes has also called for new players at Newcastle this summer to give them the best chance of being competitive in the Champions League.