Joao Pedro allowed to leave Brighton after training ground bust-up

Reports suggest that Brighton will listen to offers for Joao Pedro in the summer after the forward was left out of the squad for their 3-2 win against Liverpool.

Pedro was omitted from the matchday squad after a rumoured bust-up with team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke, and if the price is right, the Seagulls are thought to be open to a deal.

On Wednesday afternoon, Fabrizio Romano wrote on his X account: "Understand João Pedro can leave Brighton in the summer as he’s open to new chapter of his career.

"Premier League top clubs aware of the opportunity for potential transfer fee around €70m, but final decision up to Brighton."

After being relegated to the Championship in 2022, Pedro shone with 11 goals in 35 games for Watford, earning a return to the Premier League. Brighton are amongst the shrewdest operators in the transfer market and thought little of breaking their club record to bring the Brazilian to the south coast for around £30m.

The move has paid off, with Pedro recording 28 goal contributions across his two seasons at an impressive rate of 0.63 per 90. This season, he's made 0.74 goal contributions every 90 minutes, enough to rank ninth in the Premier League, although in the two seasons, his numbers have been boosted by nine penalties.

Pedro operates in a slightly hybrid role; not an out-and-out centre forward, and not a true number 10, making him trickier to analyse, but there are a number of top clubs looking to bolster their front lines.

Manchester United may be after another number 10 and desperately need a centre forward, while Liverpool and Arsenal are both believed to be making strikers a top priority.

Chelsea have been linked with a number of centre forwards, while Aston Villa may also need to dip their toes into the market if Ollie Watkins is moved on in the summer.

Suitors will of course be wary of buying from Brighton. Their savviness in the transfer market doesn't just extend to players they sign, but players they sell too, recouping around £160m just on Moises Caicedo and Marc Cucurella, rarely selling a player for a penny less than they're worth.

Liam Williams

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