Paul Merson has cast doubt over the ‘£30 million’ transfer fee Brighton and Hove Albion are about to pay Watford for Joao Pedro, with Clinton Morrison adding that ‘Newcastle United were going to pay that’.
The summer transfer isn’t officially opened yet, but deals are already being done, with Joao Pedro set to switch from England’s second-tier to the Premier League in the summer.
Watford’s hopes of earning promotion were dashed on Saturday as they recorded a 2-2 draw at Sunderland, Chris Wilder left his star forward out of the matchday squad after a ‘strange’ week, as reported by The Athletic.
Another gem picked from South America, many were left surprised that Pedro didn’t join a Premier League team last summer when Watford were relegated.
At the time, there were suggestions that Eddie Howe’s Newcastle were keen on the 21-year-old, but a move didn’t materialise.
Well, the Brazil forward is now going to add his talents to the already impressive attacking armoury at the Amex Stadium, with Merson explaining why he is ‘not sure’ about this transfer, as he told Sky Sports News (29/04/23 at 2:25 pm).
“On his day, he is good and a handful,” said Merson. “But that day isn’t too often. He needs to liven up on his day because he has a lot of off days than good days. For me, I think that’s a lot of money, £30 million.”
Clinton Morrison added: “Newcastle were going to pay that.”
Merson responded: “On his day, he is a handful and a good player. But that day isn’t too often. When you are paying £30 million, then I am not sure. I hope I am wrong. The consistency levels aren’t there. Maybe he is having different coaches every other week (which doesn’t help). The same with Sarr.”
PEDRO READY FOR THE STEP UP
He hasn’t taken the Championship by storm this season, but that shouldn’t be a worry because there is enough talent there for the player in question to become a top-class Premier League performer.
The versatile forward, who has 11 goals and four assists to his name this season, will now get that consistency to his game, both on the field of play and on the training pitch.
It’s not helpful when your team is chopping and changing managers. Going from one style to another. But all of that will now change at the very steady ship of Brighton next season.
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