Just as it was looking like Newcastle were about to bring in an attacking option in the form of Joao Pedro from Watford, things have taken another turn.
Respected journalist, Fabrizio Romano tweeted on Monday that Joao Pedro to Newcastle was a done deal. It seems that on this occasion, Romano got a bit ahead of himself as reports to the contrary soon surfaced then on Tuesday morning, Eddie Howe confirmed that no such agreement was in place.
João Pedro to Newcastle, done deal and here we go! Full agreement as Watford have now accepted final, official bid worth £25m fixed fee, £5m add-ons. 🚨⚪️⚫️🇧🇷 #NUFC
Deal will also include sell-on clause for 10%. Personal terms already, as been told contract will be until 2028. pic.twitter.com/MejBeGtHQO
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 22, 2022
A deal was thought to be close, but now 90min is claiming that several other clubs have entered the race with Everton, Leicester, Wolves, Leeds and free-spending Nottingham Forest have all shown an interest.
Will Pedro Choose Newcastle?
Yes. Why wouldn't he?
Nah, he'll bottle it
Even trying to look at that from an unbiased position, you’d have to think that if Pedro were given a choice, Newcastle is far and away the best option there. Everton are a mess, Leicester are on the decline, Forest are … weird, and both Wolves and Leeds are decent, but Newcastle has to be the most exciting prospect out of the group.
Of course, players don’t always make their decisions based on the things that we fans would – i.e. league position. Which is just as well, really, or Newcastle wouldn’t have Bruno Guimaraes. So whether Joao Pedro believes he has what it takes to come to Newcastle and make something of himself, or would prefer to play it safe at a club with fewer expectations on his shoulders, remains to be seen.
If he is going to move to another club besides Newcastle, that would be a massive indicator of his character, and while it will sting to lose out on yet another attacking target, we could chalk it up to another bullet dodged in terms of a player who wasn’t up for the fight. The next couple of days will be interesting.
HOWE MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT EDDIE?