Joao Pedro, a former Newcastle United transfer target, will be allowed to leave Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Brighton signed Joao Pedro from Watford in 2023 for a club record fee of £30 million. Last summer, the club broke its record by purchasing Yankuba Minteh from Newcastle for £33 million.

Since joining Brighton, Joao Pedro has scored 30 goals in 70 appearances across all competitions. On Monday night, he returned from suspension for The Seagulls, only to be left out of the squad for the game against Liverpool.

Although no Brighton player has scored more goals than the Brazilian forward in the last two seasons, the club is reportedly open to offers as the summer transfer window opens next Sunday.

Fabrizio Romano drops Joao Pedro transfer bombshell.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Joao Pedro could leave Brighton this summer for €70 million (~£59 million).

It’s a steep price tag for the three-time Brazil international, who is still only 23.

Brighton’s habit of selling players at high market value has significantly boosted their Premier League profitability and sustainability. Brighton generated significant transfer revenue by selling Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Ben White, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Trossard, and Yves Bissouma to other Premier League clubs while remaining competitive on the pitch.

Romano tweeted, “João Pedro can now Brighton with player open to new chapter. Premier League top clubs attentive to opportunity as João can be available. Talks follow in the next weeks.” The price tag is expected to be around €70 million; the final decision will be up to Brighton, but movement is expected.

Newcastle United Joao Pedro ‘here we go’ explained

Newcastle United were heavily linked with a move for Joao Pedro back in 2022. The Magpies had agreed to a £30 million deal with Watford for the Brazilian.

Romano claimed the deal was done, using his ‘here we go’ catchphrase, which is reserved for when a transfer is imminent. However, the deal did not go through, and the player remained at Watford before signing for Brighton the following season.

Romano explained the Newcastle ‘here we go’ update, saying: “For Joao Pedro, it was agreed between Watford and Newcastle on a permanent deal for around £25 million + £5 in add-ons, with a 10% future sales clause included.

Full agreement on personal terms with the player. The main focus was Alexander Isak.

“This opportunity arose out of nothing. They had wanted Isak as a priority since June, and Real Sociedad decided to accept and release him.

“That’s why Newcastle changed their plans with Joao Pedro.”

According to Romano, Newcastle’s late U-turn due to the availability of Alexander Isak caused Joao Pedro’s move to fall through. Given that Isak has since scored 62 goals in 107 games for Newcastle and is regarded as one of the world’s best strikers, it was unquestionably the right decision.

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