Newcastle United fans have been left somewhat frustrated by their club’s start to the summer transfer window, having yet to make a first-team signing, watching several top targets end up elsewhere.
However, things are happening behind the scenes, and Eddie Howe is planning on strengthening his squad after qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Carabao Cup last season.
Moreover, it’s not all bad, with the Magpies thus far succeeding in fending off probes for their star forwards: Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.
While both players are expected to stay this summer, some more firepower would be fantastic. And despite rival interest, Newcastle are currently leading the race for a talented Premier League star.
Newcastle favourites to sign PL star
According to Mark Douglas at The i Paper, Newcastle remain favourites in the race to sign Brighton & Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro, and that’s despite the recent efforts from Chelsea.
The Brazilian forward is valued at £60m and is allowed to leave the AMEX Stadium following a training bust-up, and Newcastle are hoping to reel him over, having been engaged in talks for several weeks.
With discussions said to be advancing between the relevant parties, Douglas expects concrete progress to be made next week.
Why Newcastle should sign Joao Pedro
Pedro has enjoyed two fruitful years at Brighton, racking up an aesthetically pleasing record of 30 goals and ten assists across 70 matches in all competitions for the Seagulls.
However, he’s perhaps found the recent Premier League campaign frustrating at times due to the 34-year-old Danny Welbeck’s remarkable efforts as the centre-forward.
Though Pedro would hardly succeed in ousting Isak from his number one spot at number nine, Howe could urge him to lean into his dynamic capacity and play as a false nine of sorts, ranked as he was among the top 1% of forwards last year for assists, the top 17% for passes attempted and shot-creating actions and the top 12% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.
Is it any wonder he’s been labelled “magical” when on the ball by Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard?
Matches (starts)
31 (19)
27 (23)
Goals
9
10
Assists
3
6
Shots (on target)*
2.4 (0.8)
1.7 (0.7)
Big chances missed
9
7
Pass completion
83%
75%
Big chances created
9
11
Key passes*
1.2
1.1
Dribbles*
1.4
1.1
Tackles + interceptions*
1.4
0.9
Duels won*
5.6
4.9
Bringing him into the Tyneside fold as such a forward could even pay dividends as far as Gordon’s concerned, playing into the Three Lions star’s electric-paced style and adding a new passing lane from which he can surge into the danger area.
Gordon has been hailed as a “real dangerous player” by England coach Lee Carsley, and his breadth of attacking options play into the hands of Pedro, whose own powerful goalscoring displays and rounded, mobile overall play could see a stunning partnership born.
With Gordon having proved himself an elite member of the Premier League already, notching 26 goal involvements across the 2023/24 top-flight term, this could be the perfect signing to revive his finest level.
It would be a statement of intent, in any case, beating off the interest of Chelsea to further Howe’s own illustrious ambitions.
Therefore, Pedro would be a fantastic addition for a Newcastle side who went above and beyond last year. Howe deserves a dynamic and hard-working forward to add the depth that the Champions League demands.
It’s one that the Toon need to see over the line to be sure.
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