Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has given a big update about the future of Newcastle United target and current Watford man Joao Pedro.
What is Romano’s latest on Newcastle’s pursuit of Joao Pedro?
Following Watford’s relegation from the Premier League last season, Newcastle were reportedly engaged in advanced talks to sign Brazilian winger Pedro in a deal worth £25m plus add-ons but could not get a deal over the line before the end of the summer transfer window.
Almost a year on, the 21-year-old remains on Newcastle’s list of potential targets and they continue to track the progress of a player who is viewed as ‘a raw talent with great potential’, according to The Athletic,
Now, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Pedro is gearing up for a big-money move away from Vicarage Road this summer.
He tweeted:
“João Pedro, prepared to get big move in the summer as clubs in Premier League and in Serie A are already exploring the potential conditions of the deal. His future will be discussed in the next months as interest is growing — João, expected to be part of the strikers domino”.
With Watford currently occupying 11th place in the Championship table, an instant return to the top flight for the Hornets looks very unlikely.
Pedro is a player with far too much quality to remain in the Championship and, with Watford likely to demand ‘far more‘ than the £30m offered last summer for a player contracted until 2028. Newcastle owners PIF may be one of the few interested parties able to afford the £25k-per-week star.
Why do Newcastle want Pedro?
Despite his tender age, Pedro has already amassed over 100 appearances for Watford, including 28 in the Premier League.
His tally of nine goals and three assists in the Championship this season is impressive, but he is not just a goal scorer.
As per WhoScored, he has averaged 2.2 shots, 1.3 key passes and 3.3 successful dribbles per game this season.
Former Watford teammate Adrian Mariappa is just one of many people to speak highly of Pedro’s talents.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Mariappa said:
“He’s definitely a Premier League player. You could see that he had something special even back then, and it doesn’t surprise me at all to see what he’s doing now.”
Pedro is undoubtedly an excellent prospect who fits PIF’s transfer strategy described by George Caulkin and Chris Waugh in The Athletic as targeting the best up-and-coming talent, who are 24 or under and can grow with the club.