According to 90min journalist Graeme Bailey, Newcastle United are confident in their ability to sign Joao Pedro – but they could face competition from other clubs if the deal drags on.
The Magpies have been looking to bolster their attacking options this summer, but have failed to add competition for Callum Wilson and Chris Wood, with deals for Hugo Ekitike and Timo Werner falling through before joining other sides.
As a result, they have now focused their efforts on Pedro, who they have already had two bids rejected for – their initial one being around £17,5m with £3m in add-ons and the second for a total of £25m.
Meanwhile, they appear to have made a breakthrough in negotiations for Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak – though a deal for Joao Pedro has been in the pipeline for a while now.
There has also been a lot of confusion around the status of the deal over the last few days, as some outlets have reported a deal has been accepted, while Bailey claims talks are ongoing and that the deal is 70% likely to get done.
Bailey told the Loaded Mag NUFC YouTube channel: “From my understanding from both ends, what I’m hearing, talks are continuing. Newcastle, they’ve got up to £30m. Watford, if we remember back to a few weeks ago, wanted £35m.
“They’re standing firm. I’m being told Newcastle end, it’s not a done deal yet. They don’t believe it is a done deal. They are confident, they’re not not confident, otherwise, they’d have pulled out ages ago. There is a confidence there. I wouldn’t say 100%.
“I’m thinking 60, 70% this is likely to get done. However, as I was saying to you guys earlier, off-pod – the longer this deal goes on, it does allow others to come and visit the situation. And in the piece I’ve done, not only Everton, but I do understand the likes of Forest, Leicester, Wolves, Leeds are keeping tabs on the situation, which isn’t a huge surprise.
“Pedro, he’s attainable. It’s at a price that most Premier League clubs could afford. It’s a deal that can be done quickly. Keep an eye on it, but Newcastle very much in pole position. I’d say 70% done from what I’m being told, and Newcastle are fairly confident they get this done.”
TIF Thoughts on Pedro to Newcastle…
While Pedro is just 20 years old and a player with lots of promise and potential, a deal that could go up to £35m feels like a lot considering he has never shown he is able to be a top player in the Premier League.
Last season in his 28 top-flight appearances, he picked up just four goals and one assist, and despite ranking in the 85th percentile for progressive carries per game, he only ranked in the 6th percentile for non-penalty goals, and in the 19th for assists (as per FBref).
Eddie Howe’s team were also previously linked with Pedro’s teammate Emmanuel Dennis, and while he is four years older than Pedro, at just 24, he picked up 10 goals and six assists in 33 Premier League appearances and was bought for just £20m by Nottingham Forest.
Considering the Magpies need a player who will compete with the likes of Wilson and Wood, going for a cheaper and better option in Dennis is what we would have liked to see, but Pedro could prove us wrong. We will have to wait and see.
Should Newcastle sign Pedro?Yes
No
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