Newcastle: PIF told to pay £30m to sign Joao Pedro

Henry Jackson 16 August 2022, 16:15 2 minutes read

Watford striker Joao Pedro against Chelsea

Watford's Joao Pedro in action with Chelsea's N'Golo Kante and Saul Niguez

Newcastle United have been informed that they will have to pay £30million if they want to sign Watford attacker Joao Pedro in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Pedro bid

The Magpies still need to sign a new forward before deadline day ends on September 1, having only brought in Nick Pope, Sven Botman and Matt Targett to date.

There is a lack of genuine firepower behind the injury-prone Callum Wilson and that has the potential to hold Eddie Howe’s team back this season, as they look towards the top half of the Premier League and perhaps even the European places.

One player Newcastle have been linked with signing is Watford star Pedro, with a £20million move for the Brazilian reportedly submitted on Monday.

The Latest: Newcastle need £10m more

Now, a fresh update has emerged, with Football Insider claiming that Watford are demanding £30million for one of their most prized assets this summer.

He is seen as someone who could light up the Premier League for years to come, with Howe seemingly eyeing him up as a long-term acquisition.

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The Verdict: Is he worth it?

Newcastle have been relatively frugal in the transfer market this summer, only bringing in players they feel will genuinely improve them, so it will be interesting to see what happens with Pedro.

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The 20-year-old is certainly a gifted young talent who has scored 14 goals in 77 appearances for Watford, but £30million is a lot of money to spend on someone who remains relatively unproven at the top level, despite being called an ‘exciting‘ player by former boss Xisco Munoz.

The decision should eventually lie with Howe, and if he believes Pedro is a player who can help transform his attack long-term, he should be trusted to acquire his services.

Claudio Ranieri has described the versatile young forward, who can also play on the wing, as ‘very dangerous’, and this is exactly the type of player Newcastle need in support of Wilson.