Chelsea Agree £50m+ Deal for Brighton’s Joao Pedro

Chelsea Agree £50m+ Deal to Sign Brighton Forward Joao Pedro

Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign Joao Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal worth more than £50m. The Brazilian forward, 23, is expected to sign a seven-year contract with the Premier League giants.

Pedro is flying from Brazil to the United States to complete his medical and, if cleared in time, could feature for Chelsea in their Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras on Friday (BST 02:00) in Philadelphia.

The move marks Chelsea’s second major signing in a week, following a £55m deal for Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund. However, Gittens is ineligible for the tournament, having already played in it with Dortmund.

Pedro’s transfer comes after Brighton rejected offers from two unnamed Premier League clubs, with Newcastle United among those believed to be monitoring the situation. Chelsea eventually met Brighton’s valuation, securing the versatile attacker ahead of their domestic rivals.

Brighton Spell and Stats

Joao Pedro joined Brighton in 2023 from Watford for a then-club record £30m. In his two seasons with the Seagulls, he scored 30 goals and provided 10 assists in 70 appearances across all competitions. Known for his sharp movement, composure, and link-up play, Pedro became a key figure in Brighton’s attack.

He missed Brighton’s final Premier League game of the 2024/25 season against Tottenham due to a “small issue”, as confirmed by head coach Fabian Hürzeler, but has now been given the green light for a high-profile move.

Squad Plans and Context

Pedro’s arrival adds to Enzo Maresca’s evolving Chelsea squad, which already features exciting young forwards including Estevao Willian, who will join officially after the Club World Cup with Palmeiras. Pedro’s availability for the tournament could provide a significant boost, especially as Chelsea aim to advance past Palmeiras into the semi-finals.

The deal further reflects Chelsea’s aggressive recruitment approach under sporting director Laurence Stewart, continuing their investment in emerging talent.