Chelsea hijacking Newcastle’s Joao Pedro deal after Nicolas Jackson exit

Chelsea are plotting a move to hijack Newcastle United’s efforts to sign Joao Pedro from Brighton in the summer transfer window.

That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 23-year-old looks “certain” to leave the Amex this summer.Enzo Maresca is keen to add to his attacking options after completing a deal for Liam Delap amid growing uncertainty over Nicolas Jackson’s future.

This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 23 June that Chelsea are ready to sell Jackson as Maresca has grown impatient with his inconsistent displays.Frustrations have grown after the Senegal international was sent off during the Blues’ 3-1 Club World Cup defeat against Flamengo, and off the back of a poor season.

Football Insider revealed on 18 May that Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal want to sign Pedro as the Seagulls will demand around £70million for his signature.