‘Expected’ – Fabrizio Romano drops Joao Pedro bombshell amid Newcastle United transfer links

Fabrizio Romano has sparked fresh speculation over the future of Brighton forward Joao Pedro, with Newcastle United believed to be at the front of the queue for his signature this summer.

The Brazilian attacker, who has enjoyed a successful spell at the Amex, is now attracting serious interest from the Magpies, who are actively looking to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new season.

Newcastle had previously pursued Pedro back in 2022, prior to his eventual transfer to Brighton. At the time, their attention turned to Alexander Isak, whom they successfully signed from Real Sociedad.

Fast forward to the present day, and the Tyneside club is once again keeping a close eye on Pedro as manager Eddie Howe evaluates his attacking depth.

With Callum Wilson’s contract set to expire and the striker expected to depart, Newcastle find themselves needing a reliable and versatile forward to support Isak and maintain attacking fluidity across a demanding campaign.

According to reports from Sky Sports, Pedro is one of the top names on Newcastle’s summer shortlist. The club views him not merely as a bench option but as a player who could potentially start and also complement Isak in a dual forward system.

Unlike Liam Delap—who chose Chelsea over Newcastle—Pedro offers a different level of adaptability. His ability to operate across the front line, whether centrally or from wide areas, gives Howe tactical flexibility and ensures Pedro wouldn’t be confined to a backup role.

That versatility may become a decisive factor in convincing him to choose St. James’ Park over other potential suitors.

Despite Newcastle’s strong interest, prising Pedro away from Brighton won’t be a straightforward task. The Seagulls are known for their resilience in transfer negotiations and are reportedly holding out for a fee close to £60 million for the 23-year-old.

Brighton’s negotiating stance has become something of a trademark in recent years, with the club often securing top dollar for their prized assets. That figure may prove to be a significant hurdle unless Newcastle are prepared to invest heavily in their attacking options.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano added fuel to the fire with a recent update on Pedro’s situation. The Italian journalist, widely respected for his accuracy in the transfer market, posted on X that the player is “expected to leave Brighton” and that “movements [are] taking place.”

His comments echoed a previous update from last month, where he revealed that Pedro was open to starting a new chapter in his career.

Romano also noted that Premier League clubs are aware of Pedro’s availability, with the proposed transfer fee hovering around €70 million. The final decision, however, rests firmly with Brighton, who hold the cards in this negotiation.

Should Newcastle secure Pedro’s signature, they would not only add another quality attacker to their ranks but also reunite him with fellow Brazilians Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.

The idea of a Brazilian trio operating in sync could electrify fans at St. James’ Park and offer a more fluid, technical edge to Howe’s attacking unit. Pedro’s existing chemistry with Guimaraes and Joelinton, particularly on international duty, could translate well to the Premier League stage and fast-track his integration into the squad.

From a tactical perspective, Pedro fits Newcastle’s system well. While his style mirrors that of Isak—intelligent movement, technical skill, and sharp decision-making—he also brings his own identity to the pitch.

Although his goal-scoring numbers don’t quite match Isak’s, Pedro has demonstrated consistency. During his time at Brighton, he netted 30 goals across two seasons and was particularly effective in European competitions, scoring six goals in six appearances during the club’s 2024/25 Europa League campaign. That form shows not only his ability to score but his capacity to step up in high-pressure fixtures.

His stint at Watford also showcased his promise, even when the club struggled. Pedro has gradually matured into a forward who contributes not only with goals but also through intelligent link-up play, pressing from the front, and the willingness to drop deep to initiate attacks.

These qualities align well with Howe’s tactical vision, which emphasizes work rate, positional discipline, and quick transitions. Pedro’s skill set allows him to play as a central striker, a second forward, or even as a wide attacker, depending on the opposition and match situation.

Newcastle’s challenge now lies in persuading Pedro that his career can flourish on Tyneside, with regular playing time and the chance to compete at the highest level.

With Wilson’s exit on the horizon and the need for greater attacking depth evident after last season’s grueling schedule, Pedro could find a clearer path to regular minutes than he might have anticipated.

The Magpies are eager to push into European competitions consistently, and a player of Pedro’s caliber could be pivotal in achieving that goal.

The coming weeks will likely bring clarity to the situation, but one thing is clear—Joao Pedro has become one of the most sought-after attacking talents in the Premier League, and Newcastle United seem ready to make a compelling case to bring him to the North East.

Whether Brighton are willing to part ways with him remains the ultimate obstacle, but with ambition rising at St. James’ Park, the chase is well and truly on.