Chelsea have set the deadline that they want to sign attacking target Joao Pedro from Brighton before the Club World Cup begins in mid-June.
It could be a busy summer for fans of Chelsea because there will be a lot going on at the club.
The Blues are competing in the expanded Club World Cup tournament, which takes place from mid-June to mid-July.
In addition, the summer transfer window will be open, so Enzo Maresca’s side have the option to add to their squad. It’s been claimed that Chelsea are planning four major new signings to help revamp the young group.
Chelsea ready to pay £50m for Brighton’s Joao Pedro
The transfer speculation linking Brighton star Joao Pedro, 23, to Chelsea has been intensifying in recent days.
It was claimed earlier in May that Chelsea are keen on signing Joao Pedro this summer, but they face competition from Arsenal and Liverpool for his signature.
Now, it looks like the Blues have pressed ahead with their attempt to sign the Seagulls centre-forward.
According to Brazilian publication Globo, Chelsea are attempting to speed up negotiations to sign Brighton’s Pedro in time for him to be involved at the Club World Cup.
Apparently, Maresca’s side have already started talks and signalled their willingness to offer €60m (£50m) for his signature. The report adds that conversations should intensify next week after the Premier League season is wrapped up.
Brighton’s asking price for Joao Pedro is £59m ahead of the summer, so Chelsea aren’t too far away with their initial interest.
Chelsea supporters have doubts about Joao Pedro because they’re not convinced he’s an obvious upgrade on Nicolas Jackson for the striker position. In fairness, the 23-year-old Brazilian star has proven at Brighton and Watford in recent seasons he’s got the versatility to operate as a No 9, No 10 or a winger.
The Brazilian core may be returning to Chelsea
In the 2010s, Chelsea had a lot of Brazilian flair running through their squad with the likes of Oscar, David Luiz and Willian. Incidentally, Thiago Silva ranks first in the list of Chelsea’s greatest ever Brazilian players.
It now looks like history could be repeating itself because there could be plenty of South American talents at Stamford Bridge next season.
Estevao Willian, 18, and Andrey Santos, 21, are Brazilian stars joining up with Chelsea for the 2025/26 campaign.
The suggestion above is that the Blues are pushing hard to get fellow countryman Pedro as well, so perhaps we will see some Brazilian flags in the Stamford Bridge crowd next season.
