Newcastle United wanted Joao Pedro and even explored a part-exchange deal involving sending Chris Wood to Watford.
The Magpies were in the market for an exciting young attacker over the summer window.
Benjamin Sesko, Sekou Mara and Armando Broja were just a few of the names linked with moves to St James’ Park.
Alexander Isak ended up signing instead, but Newcastle still fancied adding one other attacking threat before the deadline.
Newcastle United wanted Joao Pedro
The man Newcastle fancied signing is Watford talent Joao Pedro.
Fabrizio Romano claimed just over a week before the summer deadline that Joao Pedro to Newcastle was a ‘done deal’ and gave the move his signature ‘here we go’.
That move went quiet though as Newcastle instead moved in to sign Isak in a big-money deal.
The Telegraph (11:41am) reported on deadline day that Newcastle actually launched a ‘late attempt’ to resurrect a deal for the Brazilian ace.
That report claimed that Newcastle offered £25million plus £5million in bonuses if they qualified for the Champions League – which now seems a real possibility.
The Chronicle also claimed that Newcastle ‘definitely’ went back in with a new move for Joao Pedro before the deadline but Watford stood firm.
New details are emerging as The Athletic claim that Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth attempted to engineer a deal.
It’s stated that Newcastle discussed sending striker Chris Wood to Watford as part of the deal for Joao Pedro.
Wood’s agent allegedly believes that a deal was just never on the cards and a deal for Joao Pedro wasn’t possible.
Wood, 30, joined Newcastle from Burnley in January as the Magpies wanted a proven Premier League striker.
The target man managed just two goals in 17 appearances for Newcastle last season and has only managed 145 minutes of league action this term.
It feels like Wood is already being phased out of this Newcastle squad and their attempts to swap him for Joao Pedro indicate that too.
Newcastle may go back in for Joao Pedro in 2023 given that he looks like a huge talent and has been called ‘top class’ by teammate Daniel Bachmann.
The 21-year-old is a name to keep an eye on for January or next summer with Newcastle clearly viewing him as an addition to Isak, not just instead of him.
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