Chelsea Are Targetting Hijacking The Signing Of Brighton Star: Should The Blues Outbid Newcastle’s £60m? | OneFootball

Chelsea show no signs of slowing down. The London club, now under the leadership of Enzo Maresca, seem to have set their sights on a name that continues to generate attention in the market: Joao Pedro.

Since arriving at Brighton from Watford in the summer of 2023, the Brazilian has climbed the Premier League ranks with remarkable consistency. His growth has been steady, his movements more precise, and his offensive contribution undeniable. In a team like Brighton, which live between waves of uncertainty and emerging talent, Pedro has managed to stand out with concrete numbers and a defiant attitude.

Chelsea pursue Joao Pedro: a necessary gamble or an unnecessary risk?

The news comes directly from The Sun, which claims that Stamford Bridge is preparing an offensive to snatch the striker from Newcastle United. According to Graeme Bailey, via TBR Football, the Magpies are leading the talks with the player’s entourage, and Brighton would be willing to let him go for less than £60 million.

This is well below the £100 million they were asking for just a year ago. The drop in his price can be explained, among other reasons, by a serious confrontation with Jan Paul van Hecke, which, although now ‘resolved’, left significant scars within the dressing room. Chelsea are watching from behind, but have not withdrawn. Maresca’s admiration for Pedro is real, and that could push the club to act.

Opinion:

However, should Chelsea exceed that figure and break its own ceiling to sign Pedro? Context matters. The Brazilian had a total of 17 direct interventions in all competitions. At 23, with a Premier League title already under his belt, he is far from being an unknown quantity.

But he also has a recent history that cannot be overlooked. The conflict with van Hecke, although officially resolved, set off alarm bells: Is Pedro someone who can easily be integrated into a dressing room that is looking to rebuild itself?

For Maresca, Pedro’s profile fits the bill. He is fast, technical and has an eye for goal. He does not depend on a rigid system; he can move between the lines, open up spaces and create chances without being the typical number nine.

But the current Chelsea side are in no position to make miscalculations. Every signing must have an immediate impact and project confidence.

Pedro offers some of that, although the price and his recent track record raise doubts. If Newcastle are already in advanced talks, Chelsea would have to do more than simply match the offer. And at that point, the question becomes: is it worth breaking the bank for a player who has yet to prove his consistency over a full season?

The risk is there, latent. The reward is there, too. But the balance between the two defines the difference between a great move and a failed investment. Pedro may be the offensive boost Maresca needs, although with that same money, they could explore options with fewer questions and more immediate guarantees.