Report: Newcastle Move Onto Brighton Striking Sensation After Mbeumo Snub | OneFootball

Newcastle United Plot Move for Joao Pedro After Mbeumo Setback

Newcastle United are preparing a fresh approach for Joao Pedro, with the Brighton and Hove Albion forward now at the top of Eddie Howe’s attacking wishlist.

The Magpies had originally earmarked Bryan Mbeumo, as reported by The Telegraph, as their marquee forward signing for the summer, but with the Brentford star nearing a £60 million move to Manchester United, Newcastle have turned their attention to Pedro – a player long admired by the club’s hierarchy.

Sources close to St James’ Park indicate that Pedro has been firmly on Howe’s radar since his breakthrough at Watford, having made the switch from Brazilian outfit Fluminense back in 2020. Still only 23, Pedro is seen as a highly versatile option – able to operate both out wide and centrally, a trait which fits Howe’s tactical blueprint perfectly.

Howe’s Ideal Profile

With the club aiming for a more assertive European campaign next term, squad depth and versatility are critical. Pedro’s blend of technical guile, raw pace and upper-body strength makes him an attractive proposition, particularly as Howe looks to ease the burden on Alexander Isak, while also diversifying the attacking options alongside Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes.

The Brazilian is viewed as the ideal wide forward who can cut inside and influence play in the final third – a dimension Newcastle lacked at times last season, especially in Champions League contests where fluidity and unpredictability are crucial.

Brighton’s Stance and Pedro’s Situation

Brighton signed Pedro in a club-record £30 million deal from Watford, and sources expect them to hold out for upwards of £60 million – in line with what Brentford are demanding for Mbeumo.

Despite his consistent goal returns – double digits in both of his seasons at the Amex – Pedro’s future has come under scrutiny following a late-season fallout. He was omitted from the matchday squad towards the campaign’s end after a training ground dispute, something new head coach Fabian Hürzeler addressed publicly.

While Brighton remain open to Pedro staying, there is growing acceptance at the Amex that a sizeable bid could trigger his departure. Newcastle are expected to test that resolve in the coming weeks.

What Next for the Magpies?

Howe utilised Murphy on the right wing for much of last season, though the 30-year-old was also occasionally deployed as a wing-back. With Barnes on the opposite flank, Newcastle often lacked a direct, incisive dribbler – something Pedro offers in abundance.

With Champions League football returning to Tyneside and the Premier League growing ever more competitive, reinforcements are essential. Howe and the recruitment team are focused on quality over quantity this window, and Pedro is viewed internally as a player with both immediate impact and long-term value.

Newcastle’s pursuit of Pedro signals a clear intent: to build a squad capable not just of competing, but of thriving at home and abroad.

João Pedro: Brighton’s Defensive Forward Drawing Transfer Interest

As transfer season heats up, João Pedro’s statistical radar profile provides compelling evidence of a forward who blends attacking threat with an exceptional defensive work rate—an increasingly prized trait in modern football.

Across 2,480 minutes in the past 365 days, the Brazilian has posted elite defensive metrics for a player typically operating as an attacking midfielder or winger. He ranks in the 94th percentile for clearances, 98th for aerials won, and a staggering 95th percentile for dribblers tackled. For a front-line player, these numbers are abnormal—in the best sense. He’s not just pressing; he’s winning duels, disrupting play, and asserting physicality all over the pitch.

That’s not to say Pedro lacks attacking bite. His non-penalty xG sits in the 89th percentile, and his combined xG+xAG puts him in the 76th, signalling a player with genuine end-product potential. While his actual assist and xAG stats are more modest (29th and 36th percentile respectively), this discrepancy may be a symptom of Brighton’s occasional inefficiency in front of goal rather than his creative failings.

His possession game is relatively balanced, with progressive passes received (67th percentile) and touches (67th percentile) highlighting his involvement. Though his passing volume and success rate are less notable (hovering in the 40s), that reflects his positioning and role more than a technical shortfall.

At just 22, Pedro’s statistical profile hints at a player ready to step into a hybrid role for a top-six club—a forward who presses with ferocity, contributes meaningfully to build-up, and scores at a respectable clip. For clubs like Tottenham or even Liverpool—both reportedly eyeing high-intensity attackers with tactical flexibility—Pedro represents smart business.

Brighton’s recruitment team may have found another gem, and in typical Seagulls fashion, they could soon command a sizeable fee. With elite defensive metrics and top-tier underlying goal data, João Pedro is quietly becoming one of the most complete forward profiles outside England’s elite—and he may not stay under the radar for much longer.