Chelsea linked with move for Brighton forward Joao Pedro

Chelsea are being linked with a summer move for Brighton forward Joao Pedro.

Reports suggest Enzo Maresca's Chelsea are lining up a €60m bid for the Brazil international, who has registered 10 goals and six assists in the Premier League for Brighton this term.

23-year-old Pedro was left out of Brighton's squad for their most recent outing against Liverpool following a training ground bust-up with teammate Jan Paul van Hecke.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has since quashed this incident and insisted the Brazilian forward remains part of the club's plans going forward, stating in his pre-match press conference ahead of a Premier League meeting with Tottenham:

Joao is still a young player, there is still a lot of potential where he will grow. I am sure that he will learn from this and come back stronger next season.

Brighton therefore don't seem to be actively considering a sale for Pedro, although their resolve may be tested should Chelsea come in with a sizeable offer.

Chelsea look primed to add to their striking pool this summer with the Blues appearing relatively light in options in this area at present, with their number one striker Nicolas Jackson netting only 10 Premier League goals to date this term.

Brighton's Pedro is a forward whose profile is likely to appeal to Chelsea, with the 23-year-old of an age where he can continue to develop and become established in the first team for many years to come.

Pedro came through the youth ranks at Flamengo in his homeland, scoring 10 goals in 36 senior appearances before transferring to then Premier League side in Watford in 2019.

Spending three years at Vicarage Road - netting 24 goals in 109 games in all competitions - Pedro moved on to Brighton in 2023.

Becoming established as a Premier League player at the Amex, Pedro is now a full Brazil international, making his debut for the Selecao in November 2023 in a 2-1 defeat against Colombia in World Cup qualifying.

• Joao Pedro Next Club Odds

James Wilson

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