According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Arsenal are interested in signing Brighton & Hove Albion star Joao Pedro. The former club are willing to offer around €55-65 million to acquire the services of the youngster.
Who is Joao Pedro?
Joao Pedro arrived at Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2023 from Watford. Since then, he has climbed up the ladders pretty well. His consistently impressive performances have attracted interest from multiple European clubs
Pedro is showing good form in the ongoing campaign as he has already netted four goals and provided three assists in nine games so far. He is averaging 1.8 shots, 1 key pass, and 1.2 dribbles per game (stats via whoscored).
The Brazilian attacker is versatile enough to play as an attacking midfielder or even as a striker. He is quick, hard to mark, and an excellent dribbler. He can create chances for his teammates with his creative passes and also provide the finishing touches.
A replacement for Gabriel Jesus?
Arsenal aren’t performing as well as they would have liked and they notably lack quality in the final third. Hence, their interest in Joao Pedro isn’t surprising as the player is doing well in the Premier League and can be a valuable asset going forward.
Pedro’s versatility and creative instincts will surely fit well with Mikel Arteta. His arrival will enhance the Gunners’ offensive pack and depth. As he is just 23 years old, he can improve further and emerge into an elite name shortly.
Moreover, he can be an apt replacement for Gabriel Jesus, who has failed to make any major impact so far. Arsenal are ready to splash around €55-65 million to lure away Pedro. It remains to be seen if Brighton & Hove Albion are willing to let go of their hot property or not.
Arsenal are reportedly keen to secure the services of Brighton & Hove Albion forward João Pedro, one of the Premier League’s standout performers this season.
However, a mid-season transfer appears unlikely as Brighton, currently in the hunt for European football, are poised to resist any approach in January.
Arsenal’s interest in João Pedro
The Gunners are said to be preparing a bid of up to £54m for the 23-year-old Brazilian striker.
Pedro, who joined Brighton from Watford in 2023 for €34.2m (£29.7m), has flourished in Fabian Hürzeler’s dynamic system. With four goals and three assists in just 591 Premier League minutes this season, Pedro has averaged a goal contribution every 66 minutes, underlining his growing influence.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly eager to strengthen his attacking options as the club chases silverware in both domestic and European competitions.
The Spanish coach views Pedro’s versatility, intelligence, and adaptability as a perfect fit for his tactical setup. Despite being deployed primarily as a striker, Pedro’s ability to link play and create opportunities for his teammates adds an extra dimension to his appeal.
Brighton’s European ambitions
Brighton currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, just five points behind Arsenal in third and three points off Manchester City in fourth.
Their push for a European qualification spot means they are unlikely to part with one of their key assets midway through the season.
Pedro’s contributions have been instrumental in maintaining Brighton’s competitive edge, and the Seagulls are under no financial pressure to sell, especially given his contract runs until 2028.
Competition for Pedro’s signature
Arsenal may also face competition from other top clubs, including league leaders Liverpool. Reports suggest Liverpool are monitoring Pedro as they search for attacking reinforcements amid concerns over Darwin Núñez’s form.
Should Brighton entertain offers for Pedro, a bidding war could ensue, driving up the player’s valuation significantly.
January transfer unlikely
While Arsenal’s interest in João Pedro highlights their ambition to continue building a title-challenging squad, a January move seems improbable given Brighton’s ambitions and Pedro’s importance to their campaign.
For now, Arsenal may have to turn their attention to alternative targets or wait until the summer window to revisit their pursuit of the Brazilian forward.
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