Newcastle came close to nabbing Watford forward Joao Pedro last August. The Magpies continued negotiations after a round of bids were rejected with the final one totaling around £30m.
Further bids never materialized as Newcastle decided to make a much bigger splash with the signing of Alexander Isak for a club-record fee. Watford eventually tied Pedro down on a new long-term deal to 2028 with Isak now the toast of Tyneside after his recent displays.
The Athletic is reporting that Pedro is still on The Magpies’ radar as they continue to track his progress. However, Watford’s demands will only increase if any clubs come knocking this summer. There is little chance Newcastle will meet Watford’s valuation after coming up short nine months ago.
The 21-year-old has bagged 9 goals with a further 2 assists in the Championship this term. His versatility, an aspect of his game that Eddie Howe covets, has been on full display. He has been deployed across the front three as well as a number 10.
Watford are struggling in their return to England’s second flight. They are currently in 10th and 5 points adrift from a playoff place. Failure to gain promotion could affect the Brazilian’s desire to remain at Vicarage Road.
Pedro has other admires in England as well as Serie A giants AC Milan. Watford’s sporting director Cristiano Giaretta is unfazed by the interest in his star telling Tuttomercatoweb the following:
“I can say that he has an ‘England’ price, we haven’t received any requests or proposals from Italy.
“He has many admirers in the Premier League but the truth, and we are happy about it, is that he is 110 percent focused on our run-up to the play-offs.”
If Watford hold firm to their demands, the ship on a move to Newcastle has likely sailed for Pedro. Newcastle showed in August they will not bow to meet Watford’s valuation. That is unlikely to change this summer despite what is expected to be a larger budget.
189 comments so far
G
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:19 PM
Comment #1Still think he’s a decent player. I would take him.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:21 PM
Comment #2This guy makes the most sense out of all the young attackers we have been linked with as he can play all 4 positions up front that we need
Only turned 21 plenty of experience in England now and the Athletic did an article on him ages on why we were interested because he has the lot to be a top level forward in a high pressing team.
Also another thing that I like about him is he didn’t down tools when Watford didn’t get the fee they wanted to sell. Signed a new deal and has battled on for them this season trying to get promoted
Saying that I hope they don’t go up so we can try get him a good bit cheaper!!
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:24 PM
Comment #3Also I quite like Almada who plays for Miggy’s old club in the MLS!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d23GGM6gFHE
21 as well but looks like he could play in a lot of positions
dazzler
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:25 PM
Comment #4Not bad stats considering Watford haven’t exactly been in promotion contender form at all this season.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see us go back in for him in the summer, given our past actions of going back for players like Botman and Gordon.
CLINT FLICK
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:25 PM
Comment #5Digger
Yes mate!
Sometimes ‘we’ (fans) wanna tinker with a proven form… there’s a time and place for change, conversely, there’s a time to just let things play out.
Burn leaves everything on the field, not just ‘cos he’s a Geordie.
Targett is great when he comes in and never lets us down. When he’s fully fit he’ll get game time, as will Krafth. They’ve both proved that they’re worthy replacements, when required.
I love their attitude…for the team!
Anyone coming in will have that about them.
Eddie etc have instilled this.
A great team is better than a few great individuals.
The Ledge
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:25 PM
Comment #6Ye, I would sign him .
The Watford supporters reckon in another couple of years, and he is going to be the real deal .
Versatile can play anywhere across the front line.
Exactly what we need to strengthen the squad.
G
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:25 PM
Comment #7He’s never looked like an out-and-out goalscorer, but he is a big nuiscance round defenders. By virtue of playing alone he’ll help us score goals I think. He’s quite pacy too, which is never a bad thing.
CLINT FLICK
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:28 PM
Comment #8Dazzler
Depends on whether he still fits what the club are looking for…after recent signings.
We seem pretty agile in our recruitment, hey?
dazzler
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:29 PM
Comment #9LCBP,
Watford are in similar form (across the season) to the mackems, very up and down. Most mackems I work with are now convinced the current top 6 will be there come seasons end based on how they are all playing with maybe Norwich stealing in to nick the last place from Millwall.
I reckon his price becomes a lot more attractive to the owners if they don’t come up, and I reckon he may start getting itchy feet too.
Harley
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:29 PM
Comment #10Not seen much of him this season. Just little clips on the league highlights show.
Everything I read though is positive, from the club, to the critics to the fans.
Would like to see him here.
CLINT FLICK
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:29 PM
Comment #11G
He looks well athletic, with good ball skills, like.
The Taco Taker
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:31 PM
Comment #12He shouldn’t be that hard to sign if Watford don’t get promoted and the odds are stacked against them coming up this season.
The Taco Taker
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:32 PM
Comment #13Goals annual top 50 wonderkids list:
https://www.goal.com/en/lists/nxgn-2023-50-best-wonderkids-football/blta8167eeb11aa5cdf#csc4525edd35b474d3
Nice to see Kuol in the list. Hopefully next year we will have 3 or 4 players NUFC players featuring in this.
I did also note that we have been linked to at least 5 (so at least 10%) of all the players in this list.
G
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:33 PM
Comment #14Wonder what kind of contract he’s on there? Watford obvs gave him a new contract with caveats (relegation release, set fee exit etc). Just wondering if he has anything in his contract that states if they don’t get promoted this season, he can leave for set fee?
dazzler
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:33 PM
Comment #15CF,
Good point. I think he fits our mould more than say Callum Wilson does as a striker, and he has played a good 20+ games on the left of a front 3. Surprisingly, only 4 as a RW which I thought was his main position (and would make sense as a Miggy understudy). I must have Mandela Effected all of those matches he played at RW as evidently it isn’t the case.
I could see Wilson being allowed to leave in the summer for a half decent fee if we had a player like Pedro lined up though. I’d wager he’s a “more than just a finisher” striker, in the Isak mould.
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:35 PM
Comment #16Signing Pedro depends on what he and our recruitment team think his best position is I’d say. If he’s a centre forward who can also play other positions, then I’m not sure we’d sign him unless Wilson leaves. I thinking the front 3 next season will be Gordon, Isak, and Almiron as it stands and we currently have other options in ASM, Joelinton, Wilson, & Murphy.
Pedro probably wouldn’t start ahead of any of those first 3 in their best positions so would he join on that basis? Even if he would, would he join if Wilson is still here and he’s probably 3rd choice as centre forward?
The Ledge
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:39 PM
Comment #17The Watford supporter on the pod cast I watched said he was more of an attacking mid /left side forward than a centre forward .
Very versatile but neded another year to develop as he wasn’t ready for the Premiership .
CLINT FLICK
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:40 PM
Comment #18Dazzler
Good analysis mate.
Maybe he likes to cut in onto his right foot, then?
Speed is key in our forwards now. Cal looks a little off the pace atm, Pedro looks way more agile and tricky, but not as unpredictable as Maxi, say!
A Geordie Mongrel
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:44 PM
Comment #19Afternoon all. One of the things I love about this blog is the depth of knowledge available. Some really good stuff this morning, a most enjoyable catch up.
Someone (sorry, can’t remember who) mentioned a young Argentinian Thiago Almada. I don’t watch MLS but he seems to be well loved. He has a wicked right foot, World Cup winner and is listed as an attacking midfielder who can also play wide right. So a 10 who could also push Miggy. Can’t find any highlights reels but this free kick is a bit special.
https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1637251716138811392/mediaViewer?currentTweet=1637251716138811392¤tTweetUser=MLS
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:46 PM
Comment #20Ledge – I’m sure the Watford supporter would say that as he’s trying to convince himself that Pedro won’t leave! 😉
Looked at Transfermarkt and looks like he’s played in multiple positions for Watford this season. At the end of the day, it only matters what position Eddie sees him playing in based on his chosen formation and tactics.
I think it’s an easy link to discuss to be honest but possibly there’s no substance to it at all. Perhaps that boat sailed when we signed Isak.
A Geordie Mongrel
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:48 PM
Comment #21LCBP @3, I really should refresh before posting. Might avoid looking daft. 😳
The Taco Taker
Mar 22, 2023 at 1:59 PM
Comment #22I mentioned Almada last night too asking what our US based fans think of him
He could be a good signing, he won’t be too expensive and I bet he would jump at the chance of following in Miggys footsteps. Big step up from the MLS of course but the fact he is a full international for Argentina makes that less of a concern.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RZzEsBsgOY
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Mar 22, 2023 at 2:01 PM
Comment #23“I’d take Robertson over Chilwell, Tierney or Hickey, if not him I’ll take Canelo off Bayern”
Oh aye, as two of the best LBs in world football I’m sure most of us would “take them” 😆
The Taco Taker
Mar 22, 2023 at 2:07 PM
Comment #24I wouldn’t touch any of them Ruddy, Alphonso Davies or nobody!!
😀
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 22, 2023 at 2:07 PM
Comment #25Ruddy – I thought the same about the LB comment! No way is Robertson leaving Liverpool unless he’s got his sights on playing for Real Madrid and if Cancelo wants to join us rather than staying at City or moving to Bayern Munich permanently, then he’s obviously damaged goods in some way.
To have realistic opinions on the kind of players we could sign, it helps to think about things from the player’s perspective too. The only players we could sign from the really big boys are players who are unhappy in some way and we’re their best option.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Mar 22, 2023 at 2:10 PM
Comment #26TTT
I just found the framing of the comment rather humourous as if we’d be in the driving seat behind whether Robertson or Cancelo would come to NUFC. I mean, I love the club but let’s realign our expectations a tad haha
I suppose, gun to me head, if I had to, if you twisted my arm, I’d take Alphonso Davies off Bayern’s hands 😛
Transfer Sage
Mar 22, 2023 at 2:12 PM
Comment #27Cancelo is a good player but he hasn’t played at a club more than 2/3 years as from everything I’ve read he gets very unsettled as soon as he isn’t playing week in week out. You could argue that might make him a good player for us as he’d be the standout left back at the club so would likely play most or all games, the same way Trippier does.
I just don’t see us paying the fee/wages he’d command for a left back. That type of money we need to spend in more attacking areas of the pitch, we can’t do a man city and spend 50 million plus on every position.
dazzler
Mar 22, 2023 at 2:13 PM
Comment #28TTT,
Almada turned into a beast of a CAM in a couple of the previous football managers. I would have expected him to come to Europe rather than go to the MLS, but it looks like he’s absolutely tearing it up over there.
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 22, 2023 at 2:16 PM
Comment #29Jail
Have you seen him playing, he’s more than a journeyman and is on fire at the moment.
Age 27, so OK not a kid, but as Adamn said at the right price could be another shrewd signing.
Don’t know why he hasn’t been too good in the past but he did play for England U21s so must have had something then and I have been very impressed from what I have seen of him so far this season.
I would say watch out for him even if we didn’t sign him.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Mar 22, 2023 at 2:16 PM
Comment #30TDS
Robertson’s staying at Liverpool for the rest of his career, maybe a season or two at his boyhood club Celtic at the tailend of his career perhaps but there’s not a cat in hell’s chance of us getting him. Cancelo looks like he’s not going to get picked up by Bayern and given the tumultuous manner of him leaving City and rumours he’s being a pain in the a**e at Bayern, I doubt he’d pass Eddie’s no d**kheads rule.
You raise a good point that we’re at that transition stage of our process whereby players from “bigger” clubs will have inflated wages and egos to match, be damaged goods in some way either through injury or them having a fallout with their current manager. Whatever the case, such a transfer carries, not a red flag as such, but certainly an amber flag that would make me a little sceptical.
I know the positivity for the fanbase such a transfer would make, and it would certainly make a splash in the headlines, letting world football Newcastle United have “arrived” ready to play with the big boys, but I don’t think we’re at that stage yet. A few more years of rebuilding, regularly qualifying for Europe etc., I’m sure we’ll get there.
Munster Mag
Mar 22, 2023 at 2:20 PM
Comment #31I think everyone knows my opinion of this guy. I think he’s class, with serious potential to develop. He’s a left winger/left mid/left forward in a 3 from what I can see, but it depends if Eddie wants Isak to play through the middle as a central striker. Suits us though, Eddie likes a bit of pace and power and height and closing down ability, and this guy has it in spades.
Transfer Sage
Mar 22, 2023 at 2:23 PM
Comment #32Ruddy
I kind of hope we never get into that elite club position where players/managers are just on the merry-go-round. They just swap players between each other and all teams have similar feels.
I really hope we pick up players with some development to go, like Bruno. Clearly an elite player in the making but there is still that uncertainty as to whether he stays good, becomes great or maybe even world class. Add to that exciting youngsters we can bring through from 18/19 or younger, that’d be exciting for me.
Other than the odd superstar like Mbappe who would truly excite, I’d rather we found younger players and brought them on. Cancelo is good but isn’t going to get me excited.
dazzler
Mar 22, 2023 at 2:25 PM
Comment #33Akpom strikes me as a Solanke / Gayle type of player. He will do the business in the championship but would struggle in the prem.
Mitrovic scored more goals than games last season, and has 11 in a team playing really, really well. Akpom is not as good as Mitro IMO and I don’t rate Mitro.
dazzler
Mar 22, 2023 at 2:28 PM
Comment #34TS,
I’d prefer us to be a bigger scale Dortmund tbh. A club that develops the next big players in world football, only instead of selling them we keep the best and churn the ones not quite at the required level.
It must be mint being more excited over which players from the youth set up are getting called up in the summer as opposed to who you’ll sign.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Mar 22, 2023 at 2:29 PM
Comment #35TS
I take your point and, for what it’s worth, I completely agree with you. I would much rather we went for a blend of youth and high-ceiling talent who can grow along with the club. However, if the club harbours ambitions of winning the PL on a regular basis, or competing in the CL, it will be unlikely we do that without dipping into the market of ready-made “elite” players. It certainly is possible, and it would be such a boon for football in general if we could rise to the summit of world football in that way. Is it realistic though? That remains to be seen.
I would be more than content if we produced a first team consisting of youth development and exciting unearthed gems that has us top four, challenging for the league, winning the odd cup. That’d do me just fine 😎
CLINT FLICK
Mar 22, 2023 at 2:31 PM
Comment #36TS
Totally agree, mate.
That banal ‘top’ team crap…y-uk!
Don’t think that’s part of Eddie’s make up.
dazzler
Mar 22, 2023 at 2:35 PM
Comment #37I reckon Eddie is going to stamp his legacy on us right the way through to the little uns, with a clear philosophy and culture. Like Cruyff and Barca / Ajax. 40 years later and it’s still working for both of those clubs.
Mark these words. Mark them I say.
CLINT FLICK
Mar 22, 2023 at 2:36 PM
Comment #38Ruddy/TS
Just going out and buying a ‘team’ is dull as…hey?
Then you just need a ‘manager’ to balance egos… not a coach.
Watching our team/squad developed over this last year is why i watch football…nit interested in off the peg teams.
Transfer Sage
Mar 22, 2023 at 2:36 PM
Comment #39Ruddy
I’d thought about this a lot before the takeover and probably more since. I don’t know if I’d want the team to be more like Man City or Liverpool.
Yes both spend a lot of money but Man City have bought pretty much ready made players with the odd exception… Foden, Alvarez, maybe a couple others. Where liverpool bought Salah before he was considered elite, Ferminho, Wijnaldum, Robertson, even Mane to an extend, then have academy prospects like Alexander-Arnold. Yes they spent really big on Alison and Van Dijk but a lot of their players you wouldn’t have known much about before unless you follow their previous clubs or were a very keen fan of European football.
City have dominated but I always feel unless they win 5-0, their fans almost act like they’ve watched a 0-0 draw. I’d hate that for out club.
I’d much rather be a side competing near the top, getting the odd trophy and a good European run.
CLINT FLICK
Mar 22, 2023 at 2:37 PM
Comment #40Dazzler
It certainly looks that way.
What a relief!
Eddie is the MAN!
😉