Watford forward Joao Pedro is interested in joining Newcastle United, but he will not push for a late summer switch to St James’ Park after the Hornets rejected the Toon’s initial bid.
Joao Pedro interested in Newcastle move but will not push for Watford exit
According to Chronicle Live, a chance to join Newcastle United interests Watford star Joao Pedro. But the Brazilian is not of the character to push for a transfer out of Vicarage Road, with the Hornets determined to have the 20-year-old once the summer market slams shut.
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Watford are adamant Pedro will not leave Hertfordshire over the last weeks of the market, with Rob Edwards relying on him in their promotion quest. Vicarage Road chiefs have also made their absolute refusal to cash in on Pedro clear to Newcastle in no uncertain terms.
The chance to return to the Premier League after enduring relegation to the Championship with Watford last term drives Pedro’s interest in a move to Newcastle. The Ribeirao Preto-born attacker broke through as a top-flight player in 2021/22 with three goals in 28 games.
He had only previously played 22 minutes in the division across three appearances toward the end of the 2019/20 campaign. Pedro then helped fire Watford to an immediate return with nine goals and three assists in 38 outings, and already has a goal in three this season.
Watford are now preparing to visit Birmingham City on Tuesday night with Pedro involved. The Hornets have so far rebuffed Newcastle’s interest in the youngster, who can play from either wing but mostly features at striker, and believe they have made their position clear.
Eddie Howe will need to seriously up offer to tempt Rob Edwards into U-turn
Newcastle started negotiations with Watford over Eddie Howe’s interest in Pedro through a £20m offer. But the Hornets had no interest in accepting the bid for a vital player, who is under contract to 2027. They last year extended the terms he agreed after joining for £9m.
Toon chiefs are now deliberating whether or not to return with an improved offer. Any bid will surely need a substantial increase on the terms presented so far to tempt Watford into a U-turn, even with the highly-praised Pedro interested in a possible late transfer to Newcastle.
“I think he needs to continue to score,” former Hornets boss Xisco Munoz said in 2021, via the Watford Observer, after scoring and assisting two to win at Blackburn. “We know Joao Pedro is an exciting player, he’s a brilliant striker, and I know also he scores a lot of goals.”
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