Brighton star Joao Pedro favours a move to London this summer, handing Chelsea a huge transfer boost and landing a huge blow to Newcastle United’s hopes of landing the forward.
Pedro emerged as a target for Chelsea at the end of the 2024-25 season with reports suggesting a £50million bid was being lined up.
The Blues have since signed Liam Delap from Ipswich Town but do appear to be on the lookout for another forward option with interest in Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.
Newcastle have also turned their attention to the Brazil international after missing out on Bryan Mbeumo, who favours a move to Manchester United with Tottenham also out to hijack the deal.
Both Newcastle and Chelsea will return to the Champions League next season, a huge incentive for any player looking to join them this summer.
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But Pedro’s Brighton teammate Igor Julio has suggested the 22-year-old does not fancy a move up north. While he would like to see his friend join Premier League champion Liverpool, Julio claims a club in the capital is more to his liking.
In the interview with Trivela, the publication also names Arsenal as a possible destination for Pedro should the club fail in their bids to sign Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko.
‘Joao Pedro had already told Brighton some time ago that his desire was to leave, look for new things, take the next step,’ Julio said.
‘It seems it will be difficult and complicated for him to stay here, we have to be honest, the club already knows that
‘I told him that he has to think about what he wants from his career.
‘In my opinion, if I were going to a Big Six team, I would go to a team that competes in the Premier League, plays in the Champions League and is always in a position to win.
‘I would go to a Liverpool team and I think he would fit in perfectly at Liverpool. It’s because I’ve always dreamed of playing for Liverpool and I would go there.
‘He always told me that he really wants to live in London, so I think he will prioritise what comes from there first.’
Pedro has since reached double-figures for goals in his two seasons at the Amex Stadium, although was left out of the matchday squad at the end of the last campaign over a training ground clash.