Manager Rob Edwards insists Newcastle United’s offer for Joao Pedro is ‘not anywhere near’ the Watford’s valuation, speaking to the Watford Observer amid ongoing interest from the Premier League outfit.
A 20-year-old from the Championship might not have been the sort of high-profile marquee signing some were expecting on Tyneside. But those anticipating a Gareth Bale, an Eden Hazard were missing the point.
Newcastle United, under Saudi Arabian ownership, are not going to deviate all that dramatically from the transfer policy they employed during the Mike Ashley era; One that revolves around signing hungry young talent with substantial re-sale potential.
The arrival of Sven Botman is proof of that. Ditto interest in the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Alan Virginius, Anthony Gordon, Armando Broja, Goncalo Ramos and co.
Newcastle United have bid rejected for Watford’s Joao Pedro
According to The Times, Newcastle are now closing in on a £30 million deal for Joao Pedro, after Watford rejected an opening offer in the region of £20 million earlier in the week.
“There has a been a bid in for Joao that’s been talked about,” says Edwards, unbeaten in four games since replacing Roy Hodgson in the Vicarage Road dugout.
“It’s not anywhere near the level that we’d expect it to be for him. If anything else was to come in again, we’ll sit down and talk about it as a club and as a board.”
Watford are likely to cash in on the skilful, versatile Pedro before September’s transfer deadline. And, despite reported interest from Leeds United, Newcastle appear to be his most likely destination.
Fabrizio Romano insists that Pedro, who followed in Richarlison’s footsteps when he arrived from Brazil as a little-known teenager in 2018, is ‘keen’ on the idea of swapping Hertfordshire for Tyneside.
“Joao Pedro is already a very good player. He’s going to be an excellent footballer,” adds former Forest Green boss Edwards.
“I do believe this is the right place for him at the moment. (And) I think he would really benefit from playing a full season with us.
“I think he can play a huge part in that. He’s so mature for a young age and he understands what he needs to do as well.”
Joao Pedro can play as a number ten or through the middle as a centre-forward. He has 14 goals in 78 games for Watford.
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