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Joao Pedro Transfer Saga: Liverpool and Newcastle Circle Brighton Star Amid Exit Rumours

With the 2024/25 Premier League season officially wrapped up, eyes have already shifted to the summer transfer window, and Brighton’s Joao Pedro is quickly becoming a central figure. According to talkSPORT, both Liverpool and Newcastle United are tracking the 23-year-old Brazilian forward, who is reportedly open to a move to a bigger club.

Pedro, who joined Brighton from Watford in a then-club record £30 million deal, has had a mixed campaign. Despite showcasing glimpses of brilliance, he’s netted just 10 goals and delivered six assists across the season. His season ended on a sour note, having been dropped from Brighton’s final two fixtures following a training ground bust-up with teammate Jan Paul van Hecke.

talkSPORT confirm that the incident is “not being reviewed internally as an attempt to force a move”, though the timing certainly raises questions about Pedro’s desire to stay at the Amex Stadium.

Photo by IMAGO

Valuation War Looms Over Brighton’s Stance

Brighton’s approach to the summer will be defined by a familiar trait — resilience in the transfer market. Owner Tony Bloom has no urgent financial reason to sell after announcing a record £222.4 million turnover, largely bolstered by Moises Caicedo’s British record £115 million move to Chelsea.

talkSPORT revealed that both Pedro and Carlos Baleba were handed £100 million price tags back in April, a statement of intent from Bloom. Sources close to the club suggest the Seagulls’ hierarchy see Pedro as belonging in the same elite financial bracket as Caicedo.

From a statistical perspective, the price seems hard to justify. With just 20 shots on target all season, Pedro’s output falls short of elite Premier League standards. But Brighton’s valuation, as ever, factors in potential, not just performance.

Player Profile: A Star in Waiting or Overpriced Asset?

There’s little doubt that Pedro has natural talent. His total Brighton record stands at 30 goals and 10 assists from 70 appearances, with three caps for Brazil. Former Watford captain Troy Deeney once described him as “destined to go to the very, very top” and praised his positional versatility.

“He’s just good. You just know you’ve got to play him,” Deeney said, highlighting Pedro’s ability to play across the front three or even as a deeper playmaker.

Photo by IMAGO

Yet Pedro’s inconsistency and disciplinary question marks — most recently the training ground altercation — complicate the narrative. Is he a misunderstood prodigy or a high-risk acquisition?

Liverpool and Newcastle’s Summer Strategy

Liverpool’s interest in Pedro is particularly intriguing. With Arne Slot fresh off a Premier League title win in his debut season, the Dutchman may view Pedro as a longer-term successor to either Cody Gakpo or Darwin Núñez, or a versatile option who can slot into multiple roles across the front line.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are on the hunt for depth and dynamism, especially as they juggle European ambitions. Pedro’s youth, flair and physicality may align well with Eddie Howe’s blueprint.

Both clubs are said to be monitoring Pedro’s situation closely, though neither is expected to match Brighton’s £100 million asking price without negotiations.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Liverpool fan’s perspective, Joao Pedro is a fascinating but contentious target. There’s no doubting his raw talent — Deeney’s glowing praise isn’t easily handed out — but £100 million for a player with 10 goals and a recent bust-up on his record feels excessive.

That said, under Arne Slot’s leadership, Liverpool have become tactically fluid and offensively unpredictable. Pedro’s ability to play anywhere across the frontline — and potentially deeper — could make him a hidden gem if coached properly. Slot’s track record with developing youth talent in the Eredivisie and now in the Premier League could give Pedro the stability and tactical education he arguably lacked at Brighton.

However, one cannot ignore the numbers. 20 shots on target across a full season suggests inconsistency and inefficiency, attributes Liverpool fans have grown tired of seeing in certain attackers. If Brighton are serious about their valuation, it’s hard to see FSG sanctioning a deal unless it drops significantly.

Should the price fall closer to £60–70 million, Liverpool could be tempted. The allure of turning a chaotic talent into a world-class performer is appealing, especially under Slot’s structured yet expressive system. If not, this may simply be another case of “Brighton inflation” pricing talent out of a realistic market.