Brentford are keen to bank maximum value on their star forward, the £60m-rated Bryan Mbeumo, this summer, meaning Newcastle United have hope yet in pipping Manchester United to his signature.
However, Mbeumo has intimated his desire to sign for Old Trafford, and thus Eddie Howe and his transfer coterie will need to turn toward alternative targets.
Having already missed out on Man United-bound Matheus Cunha, a bounce-back is needed, for sure. And Newcastle might just be centring on the perfect new forward.
Newcastle lining up new forward
Though Tynesiders will be relieved to hear The Athletic’s David Ornstein declare there’s “no chance” Alexander Isak will be leaving the club this summer, the need for more firepower is evident.
That’s why, as per Sky Sports report Rob Dorsett, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro is on Newcastle’s shortlist, with Howe in particular desperate to bring in such an attacking profile.
The 24-year-old is expected to leave the AMEX this summer – amid admirers in the Premier League and in Europe – and Brighton will do business if their €70m (£59m) valuation is met.
Why Joao Pedro would be perfect for Newcastle
Though Pedro attacks from a central berth, and Mbeumo is a principally right-sided forward, he could regardless fill in a hole at St James’ Park, should Callum Wilson depart at the end of his contract later this month.
Joining Brighton from Watford in a deal just shy of £30m in June 2023, Pedro has scored 30 goals and provided ten assists across 70 appearances in all competitions.
Across his two years on the south coast, the former Hornets star has converted 19 goals in the Premier League, only missing 17 further big chances, as per Sofascore.
Moreover, Pedro drifts out to the left before arcing inward, suggesting Howe could utilise the Brazilian across central and wide berths, maximising his dynamic and skilled approach and indeed his suitability at Newcastle, with the manager apt to field such flexible players as Anthony Gordon across different parts of the frontline.
|
Joao Pedro – Career Stats by Position |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Position |
Apps |
Goals |
Assists |
|
Centre-forward |
119 |
34 |
18 |
|
Left winger |
40 |
14 |
0 |
|
Attacking midfield |
27 |
8 |
1 |
|
Right winger |
5 |
0 |
0 |
|
Data via Transfermarkt |
|||
As per FBref, he also ranked among the top 1% of Premier League forwards this season for assists, the top 17% for passes attempted and shot-creating actions, and the top 12% for progressive passes per 90. Such qualities have led the data-driven site to draw him against the two aforementioned forwards.
Shot-creating actions are pieces of play that lead to a shot. These include moments such as a pass, take-on or foul being drawn.
Yes, the £50k-per-week star’s creativity and ball-playing skills are not unlike those of the dynamic Mbeumo and indeed Cunha, whose exploits with Wolverhampton Wanderers have led journalist Nathan Juddah to describe him as a “maverick” and a “flawed genius”.
Pedro’s countryman, indeed, created 13 big chances in the English top flight, and given United only finished eighth for big chances created this term, you can see why Howe is demanding such a profile.
Moreover, his discussed clinical quality aligns with that of Mbeumo, who has been hailed as “one of the best wingers in the Premier League” by The Athletic’s Jay Harris after scoring 20 top-flight goals across the year.
This player, a veritable conglomeration of Newcastle’s desired profiles, would be perfect for Newcastle, aiding Isak and, through his “magical” talent on the ball, as has been noted by Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard, he might just hit the ground running.
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