What £60m Joao Pedro move reveals about Newcastle United transfer plan
Newcastle United’s Pursuit of Joao Pedro Highlights Ambitious Summer Transfer Strategy
Newcastle United’s renewed interest in Brighton & Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro has emerged as a telling sign of the club’s ambitious intentions for the upcoming summer transfer window. Rather than hesitating in the wake of Bryan Mbeumo’s decision to join Manchester United, the Magpies are taking proactive steps to reinforce their squad.
Eddie Howe, United’s head coach, has been steadily building a list of priority signings as the club looks to strengthen its roster for a challenging 2025/26 campaign that will include European competition. Having previously attempted to sign Joao Pedro in 2022 during his time at Watford, Howe may finally be on the verge of securing the Brazilian forward—now a key figure for Brighton.
Pedro’s name reappearing on Newcastle’s radar signals more than just a passing interest—it could mark a shift in their transfer strategy. While the club has been known to target specific roles this summer—a centre-back, a right-sided attacker, a new goalkeeper, and additional midfield depth—the pursuit of Pedro adds an intriguing twist to that plan.
At 23, Joao Pedro has demonstrated his quality as a versatile attacking threat. Though naturally suited to a central attacking midfield role, he is capable of operating across the front line. This positional flexibility could be invaluable to Howe, offering more options in attack and allowing tactical variation. It also raises questions about whether Newcastle are evolving their initial transfer blueprint in favor of more adaptable attacking options.
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi remains Newcastle’s top defensive target. A bid in the region of £50 million is expected to test Palace’s resolve and could prove enough to pry away the England international. However, the Magpies face competition from other Premier League clubs, notably Tottenham Hotspur. Despite this, there’s a sense of confidence within the Newcastle camp that a deal for Guehi is possible.
The potential acquisition of Pedro follows the club’s unsuccessful attempts to land Ipswich’s Liam Delap and Brentford’s Mbeumo. With those moves falling through, Newcastle have turned their attention to alternative forward reinforcements, with Pedro emerging as the front-runner. The Brazilian would join a promising group of attackers including Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, and youngster Will Osula. His addition would provide both depth and tactical diversity, enabling Howe to rotate or adjust formations as needed.
However, one of the key issues to resolve is the financial aspect. Brighton are expected to demand around £60 million for Joao Pedro—a fee that would take Newcastle’s total summer spending well above the £100 million mark if Guehi is also signed. Adding to that is a possible £30 million deal for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, another priority target. With Financial Fair Play (FFP) considerations in mind, the club may need to make strategic player sales to balance the books.
Several current squad members have attracted interest from other clubs. Midfielders Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff are both on the radar of potential suitors. While sales could generate significant funds, replacing these players would become another urgent task. Captain Jamaal Lascelles could see his role further diminished if Guehi arrives, and goalkeeper Nick Pope’s future would become uncertain if Trafford is brought in to compete for the No. 1 shirt.
Finding a back-up striker for Isak remains one of the trickier challenges in the market. Proven goalscorers command high fees, and identifying a younger, talented forward willing to take on a secondary role is no simple task. In this context, Joao Pedro might represent a calculated compromise—a player who can contribute immediately while also offering long-term potential and adaptability.
As Newcastle prepare for another season of domestic and European competition, the pursuit of Joao Pedro underlines their intent to build a deep, dynamic, and competitive squad. The coming weeks will determine whether they can pull off the key deals and strengthen sufficiently to meet the demands of Champions League football and beyond.