As their chase to sign Joao Pedro continues, Newcastle United have reportedly turned their focus towards an alternative option who already has a hat-trick to his name at St James’ Park.
Newcastle chasing Joao Pedro deal
After sitting out of the last two transfer windows due to PSR concerns, Newcastle are reportedly going full steam ahead with potential incomings this summer – setting their sights on Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest and Joao Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion. Both options would undoubtedly add extra quality to Eddie Howe’s side, who will need all the strength in depth they can get now that they’re back in the Champions League.
Pedro would particularly hand the Magpies a much-needed solution whenever they find themselves without Alexander Isak. When both Callum Wilson and the Swede have struggled on the injury front, it’s been Anthony Gordon who was forced to step up out of position. The arrival of Pedro would quickly end that problem and perhaps even bridge the gap on quality to Isak.
|
Premier League stats 24/25 (via FBref) |
Joao Pedro |
Alexander Isak |
|---|---|---|
|
Starts |
23 |
34 |
|
Goals |
10 |
23 |
|
Assists |
6 |
6 |
|
Expected Goals |
8.9 |
20.3 |
Whilst the Brazilian struggled to keep up with Isak for goals – as did a fair few forwards last season – he was always clinical when given an opportunity in front of goals, having outperformed his expected goals. So the potential is certainly there for those numbers to increase and in a side like Newcastle, Pedro’s opportunities in front of goal would only increase.
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The Brighton man won’t come cheap, however. The Seagulls are reportedly demanding as much as £60m to sell Pedro this summer which could leave Newcastle assessing their options. If that does prove to be the case, it’s then that they could turn their attention towards another Premier League rival.
Newcastle keen to sign Justin Kluivert
According to Caught Offside, Newcastle are now keen to sign Justin Kluivert from Bournemouth this summer in a transfer battle against Manchester United. Unlike Pedro, the Dutchman’s price tag reportedly sits at around €55m (£47m), handing those in Tyneside the chance to land a cheaper alternative and one who already has a hat-trick to his name at St James’ Park.
If Newcastle wanted to take a look at Kluivert’s quality then they certainly received the closest opportunity to do so. By the time that last season came to an end, the forward had scored two hat-tricks and taken his Premier League total to 12 goals in a fine campaign.
Earning plenty of praise as a result of his hat-trick against Newcastle, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola told reporters when asked about Kluivert: “I think Justin is obviously playing with confidence. For me the first goal is key, it’s a good transition but he had options to play both sides and he decides to take the shot. And it’s a great decision, a great finish.
“He also scores an amazing goal after that is disallowed, but this was a lovely, lovely goal. And the assist to Dango. Apart from the job that he normally does in our press, he’s adding numbers that is always very nice.”
