Magpies Circle Back to Known Target as Summer Business Heats Up
Newcastle United are once again showing their trademark persistence in the transfer market, reviving interest in Joao Pedro, the dynamic Brighton forward. Just days into the summer window, the club has already been linked with a host of players, and Pedro’s name is back on the table.
The 22-year-old Brazilian is no stranger to Newcastle’s recruitment radar. Before his move from Watford to Brighton, the Magpies were actively chasing his signature and were considered frontrunners in a highly competitive race to secure the rising star.
Such was the momentum of that pursuit that manager Eddie Howe had to address rumours about Pedro’s supposedly “done deal” move to St James’ Park.
“That’s not entirely accurate but I’m not sort of dealing with these things minute to minute, I’m sort of in the background hearing what’s happening but I don’t think that’s correct,” he said at the time.
Now, Sky Sports has once again identified Newcastle as a potential destination for Pedro, with Chronicle Live reporting that club scouts remain impressed by his versatility and skillset. It’s a classic Newcastle move—returning for talent they admire, even if a previous attempt failed.
A Pattern of Patience: Botman and Gordon Deals Reflect Pedro Approach
This isn’t new territory for Newcastle. History shows the club is willing to wait and return for targets that fit their vision. One prime example is Sven Botman, who was tracked across multiple windows before signing from Lille in 2022.
Similarly, Anthony Gordon was initially pursued in the summer of 2022 before finally arriving from Everton in January 2023, with Amanda Staveley a vocal advocate for the winger throughout both windows.
Other examples include players Newcastle never quite landed, such as James Maddison, who was monitored extensively before opting for Tottenham, and Hugo Ekitike, who was pursued first at Reims and again following his struggles at PSG.
It’s clear the Magpies have a strategy of persistence, and Pedro fits their mould—young, versatile, and Premier League-proven.
Pedro’s Versatility Matches Newcastle’s Tactical Needs
Whether or not Pedro ends up joining Newcastle remains uncertain, but his adaptability across the front line makes him an ideal fit for Howe’s evolving attacking system. He can feature centrally, operate on the wings, or even drop into a deeper creative role.
He’s not the only name on the radar. Newcastle have also been linked with Bryan Mbeumo, another flexible attacker who could bolster depth and rotation options.
Howe Reflects on Forward Depth Issues as New Targets Eyed
Toward the end of the 2024/25 campaign, Newcastle’s attacking options were stretched, with Alexander Isak playing through a groin issue and Callum Wilson taking on more responsibility off the bench. Emerging forward William Osula was also given late-season minutes in cameo roles.
Manager Eddie Howe acknowledged the squad’s limitations at the business end of the season:
“You add Alex (Isak) to that list [of injured players], and you do become stretched. You certainly lose your firepower from the bench, to a degree.
The players who came on for us (at Arsenal) are good players, but at least a couple of them are still developing and forging their careers in the Premier League. I think they will be good players, and I thought they did well when they came on, so it’s no slight on them. But we have lost a bit of firepower.”
Could Pedro Be the Final Piece?
With injuries exposing the thinness of Newcastle’s front line, and with a pattern of returning to past targets, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the club push again for Joao Pedro. If history is anything to go by, Newcastle’s persistence could pay off.
Newcastle Rekindle Interest in Joao Pedro
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