Joao Pedro Transfer Battle
Newcastle United’s £50m bid for Brighton’s 23-year-old Brazilian forward Joao Pedro was rejected, with the Seagulls holding out for £60m, as reported on June 27, 2025. Talks continue, but Chelsea have emerged as frontrunners, agreeing a £60m deal with personal terms and a medical scheduled, per David Ornstein. Pedro, who prefers Chelsea for a guaranteed starting role, scored 10 Premier League goals and provided 7 assists in 2024/25, making him a top target for Enzo Maresca’s squad. Newcastle, despite their Champions League funds, face competition after Pedro’s 30 goals in 70 Brighton appearances since joining from Watford for £29.5m in 2023.
Newcastle’s Striker Situation
Newcastle are determined to retain Alexander Isak, their club-record £63m signing, despite interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea. Isak, with three years left on his contract, scored 27 goals in 42 games in 2024/25, and Eddie Howe plans to build around him, with contract extension talks underway. Callum Wilson’s contract expires on June 30, 2025, and the injury-prone 33-year-old, with 48 goals in 108 Newcastle games, is unlikely to be offered a new deal, making him a free agent. William Osula, 21, scored twice in 19 appearances last season but remains a backup to Isak, prompting Newcastle’s urgent search for a striker.
Other Transfer Targets
After Brighton rejected their £50m bid and Nottingham Forest turned down a £45m offer for Anthony Elanga, Newcastle are exploring alternatives. Targets include PSV’s Johan Bakayoko (12 goals, 9 assists in 2024/25), Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi (5 goals, 7 assists), and West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus (8 goals, 6 assists). Brighton’s firm stance, reinforced by Fabian Hurzeler’s expectation of Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma returning for pre-season, complicates Newcastle’s plans. The club’s £50m bid for Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini also signals a broader squad rebuild under sporting director Paul Mitchell.
Future Moves
Newcastle’s transfer window, open until September 1, 2025, remains active as they aim to bolster their squad for the August 16 Premier League opener against Aston Villa. Missing out on Pedro, who will join Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad, shifts focus to Bakayoko or Adeyemi, though Kudus’ £85m release clause poses a financial hurdle under PSR constraints. Wilson’s likely departure and potential exits of Sean Longstaff and Matt Targett could fund further signings, like Burnley’s James Trafford. Fans on X express frustration over Pedro’s preference for Chelsea but back Howe’s pursuit of Isak’s retention, with optimism for a late window breakthrough.
