Newcastle United must break transfer record to sign ‘unsettled’ Premier League attacker

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Newcastle United are interested in signing Joao Pedro after missing out on Liam Delap.

The Magpies are keen to sign a striker this summer, but Liam Delap has moved to Chelsea despite holding talks with Eddie Howe’s side.

They are looking elsewhere, with Newcastle interested in Joao Pedro.

Toon fans know all about the Brighton forward. After all, Pedro nearly joined Newcastle in 2022, 12 months before joining the Seagulls.

Now Newcastle United are looking at the 23-year-old again, but there could be a problem.

How much Brighton want for Joao Pedro

That is according to TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey, who has told Geordie Boot Boys that Pedro is ‘unsettled’ at the Amex Stadium.

Despite that, Bailey understands that Brighton are looking to receive a huge fee for their number nine.

“He is frustrated at Brighton,” he said.

“He had that run-in with Van Hecke at the end of the season. He is clearly unhappy and unsettled to say the least. His people are doing their work and seeing what could be available.

“Brighton are not in a hurry to sell. They would be asking for at least £70million.”

Joao Pedro to Newcastle United would be a ‘surprise’

A fee of £70million would make Pedro Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever, eclipsing the £63million that Alexander Isak cost.

For that kind of money, Bailey believes that Pedro to Newcastle is only viable if Alexander Isak is leaving St James’ Park.

“He would surprise me as an option for Newcastle, unless he comes in as a replacement for Alexander Isak,” he added.

That is not Newcastle’s plan. They intend to keep the 25-year-old, with Newcastle set to offer Isak a new contract. Instead, they want another striker to arrive that can compete with and play alongside their leading scorer.

Whether or not that is Pedro remains to be seen. He is certainly good enough for a Newcastle United side that is returning to the Champions League. However, he feels too expensive for a club that desperately needs to bring in a centre-back and winger as priorities.