Joao Pedro Chooses Chelsea Over Newcastle as Blues Close In on £60m Brighton Star

Brighton striker set to become latest piece in Chelsea’s summer rebuild as talks progress

It appears the long-running transfer saga surrounding Joao Pedro is drawing to a close — and the direction of travel is pointing firmly towards Stamford Bridge. Despite interest from several Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United, the Brazilian forward has reportedly decided that Chelsea is the destination he wants to call home next.

The Blues are now in advanced talks with Brighton as they attempt to thrash out a deal believed to be worth more than £60 million, a price tag that Brighton have been unwilling to compromise on so far. But with Chelsea pushing hard and the player eager to join, it’s looking increasingly like a matter of when, not if.

Chelsea Gain Momentum in Joao Pedro Chase

Brighton Prepare for Life After Pedro

As per The Daily Mail, Joao Pedro has told his representatives that Chelsea is his preferred move this summer, handing the west London giants a major boost in their pursuit of the versatile 22-year-old forward.

Newcastle United had made two formal approaches for Pedro earlier in the window, but Brighton turned them both down, firm on their valuation. While Chelsea also saw a recent £58 million bid rejected, negotiations have continued with growing optimism that an agreement can be reached above the £60m threshold.

That optimism is further fuelled by the player’s stance — Pedro is said to be sold on Chelsea’s project under Enzo Maresca, impressed by the club’s aggressive recruitment and commitment to building a young, attacking squad.

The Bigger Picture: Chelsea’s Summer Overhaul

Chelsea’s pursuit of Joao Pedro is just one strand of a wide-ranging summer overhaul being conducted by sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley. The Blues have already agreed deals to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and young striker Liam Delap from Manchester City, with more moves expected before pre-season kicks off.

In Pedro, Chelsea see a multi-dimensional forward who can play across the frontline. While he has often been used centrally at Brighton, he’s equally comfortable playing off the left or as a second striker — something Maresca values highly in his tactical setup.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are moving with intent and speed, aiming to wrap up this transfer window early and give Maresca a full pre-season with the new-look squad.

Brighton Prepare for Life After Pedro

Joao Pedro Brighton 2024-25

Brighton’s model has long been built on smart recruitment and selling at the right time — and Pedro looks like the next big-money departure from the south coast.

The Seagulls signed him from Watford in 2023 for a club-record fee believed to be around £30 million. At the time, it raised some eyebrows, but Pedro quickly silenced any doubts. Over the course of two seasons, he’s flourished under Roberto De Zerbi and later Fabian Hurzeler, scoring 30 goals in 70 appearances across all competitions.

His numbers from the 2024/25 season alone are particularly impressive: 20 goals in all competitions, 10 of which came in the Premier League — his best-ever return in a single campaign.

While Brighton would love to keep hold of a player who is still improving, they know the drill. Clubs like Chelsea, with deeper pockets and continental aspirations, are hard to turn down — both for players and selling clubs. And with Pedro keen to leave, the Seagulls are expected to cash in once the valuation is met.

What Makes Joao Pedro So Special?

It’s not just the goal tally that has Chelsea interested. At 22, Pedro is still developing, but he already plays with a maturity well beyond his years. He’s quick, intelligent, and possesses excellent close control — attributes that make him dangerous in tight spaces and on the counter.

More than that, he’s adaptable. He can drop into midfield to link play, drift wide to create overloads, or stay high and stretch the defence. That level of tactical flexibility is key in the modern Premier League, especially for a team like Chelsea, who want players to press, transition, and rotate fluidly.

Off the pitch, Pedro is also known for his professionalism — something Chelsea are placing a strong emphasis on following years of internal dressing room issues and inconsistent form.

Newcastle’s Interest Fades

Newcastle will no doubt be disappointed. They were long considered the frontrunners for Pedro, even going back to his Watford days. But Chelsea’s determination — and Pedro’s desire to move to west London — has tipped the scales.

With FFP (Financial Fair Play) restrictions tightening around the Magpies, who must balance squad reinforcements with financial prudence, they may not be able to compete in a bidding war. And Pedro’s lean towards Chelsea has cooled any further advances from St. James’ Park.

Eddie Howe’s side are now expected to pivot toward other forward targets in the market, with talks ongoing for alternatives including Jonathan David and Serhou Guirassy.

What Happens Next?

With Pedro having made his intentions clear, it’s now a case of Chelsea and Brighton finalising the financials. Personal terms are expected to be no issue — Chelsea have been in contact with the player’s camp for weeks and are aligned on the deal’s structure.

Brighton, meanwhile, are digging in for the full £60m, aware that Pedro’s stock is at its peak and that selling below that figure would represent poor business, especially given the inflated nature of the current transfer market.

Assuming no late complications, this deal could be wrapped up within the next week — possibly in time for Chelsea’s first pre-season training session.

Final Thoughts: A Smart Fit for Chelsea?

This could prove to be one of the smartest deals of Chelsea’s summer. Joao Pedro isn’t just a goalscorer — he’s a modern attacker with the tools to thrive in multiple systems. If Chelsea can unlock his full potential, he may soon justify that £60m price tag — and then some.

Brighton lose another gem, but this is the cycle they know well. And as for Newcastle, they’ll have to regroup and look elsewhere.

For Pedro, though, the future seems set: Stamford Bridge awaits.