Newcastle United are being linked with moves for Brighton duo Jan Paul van Hecke and Joao Pedro during this summer’s transfer window.
Pedro is Newcastle United’s leading target. Geordie Boot Boys understands Pedro wants to leave Brighton amid Newcastle’s interest, though Chelsea have also been touted as a potential landing spot.
The club want to sign a new defender this summer and Newcastle have been interested in a move for Van Hecke as a potential option.
Landing them both this summer would be interesting. Clearly, they know each other well but the relationship has not always been easy.
Newcastle United linked with Jan Paul van Hecke
According to Charlie Haffenden of the Birmingham Mail on social media platform X, Newcastle have held provisional talks over signing the defender from Brighton.
While the journalist adds that the Dutchman did have a bust-up with Pedro in training at Brighton earlier this season, Newcastle are said to want both players this summer.
Van Hecke made 33 Premier League starts for Brighton last season. On average, he won 2.4 aerial duels per game. At Newcastle, only Dan Burn (4) won more.
His 4.1 clearances over the same period would also see him rank second in the Newcastle United squad behind Burn, who averaged 5.2
| 2024/25 Premier League statistics | Jan Paul van Hecke |
| Aeiral duels won/90 | 2.4 |
| Clearances/90 | 4.1 |
| Interceptions/90 | 0.7 |
| Tackles/90 | 1.3 |
What happened between Jan Paul van Hecke and Joao Pedro
Back in May, The Athletic revealed that Pedro was dropped from the Brighton squad who beat Liverpool following an argument on the training ground with Van Hecke.
It was claimed that an altercation between the pair happened in training before Brighton played Wolves.
| Games | Joint-goal participation |
| 58 | 2 |
After the win over Liverpool, Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said of Pedro’s absence: “Joao had private reasons why he was not available. So, let’s see how it is going to continue.”
The forward then did not play in their final game of the season away at Tottenham, so it remains unclear as to how the situation is right now.
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