Watford have rejected Newcastle United’s second offer worth an initial £22 million for Brazilian striker Joao Pedro, although talks will continue between the clubs.
According to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle United’s second bid for Joao Pedro has been rejected by Watford. The Magpies offered £22 million plus £3 million, but the offer has been knocked back by the Hornets, who are holding out for a total fee in the region of £30 million to sell the prodigious Brazilian striker in the summer transfer window.
Newcastle United committed about £60 million in only the first month of the transfer window, with Sven Botman arriving through the door as a big-money signing, following on from the purchases of Nick Pope and Matt Targett. It is safe to say that prospects for more acquisitions were high, especially since Reims had accepted a bid for Hugo Ekitike, with only the striker needing to agree.
But he joined PSG instead, and the following weeks have so far proven barren in what has been an infuriating transfer window for the Newcastle chiefs due to inflated prices for players all over the continent. Now, Watford have turned down Newcastle’s second offer for Joao Pedro, who is keen on returning to the Premier League.
The Hornets are demanding around £30 million for their prized asset, who still has three years left on his current contract at Vicarage Road. They have sold Emmanuel Dennis to Nottingham Forest in a £20 million deal. And Watford are reluctant to part ways with Pedro, who scored nine goals and provided three assists in the Championship last time out, and are charging a premium fee.
Excl: Newcastle have submitted new bid today for João Pedro. £22m fee plus £3m add-ons, while Watford are asking for £30m total fee. Talks on. ?⚪️⚫️ #NUFC
João, keen on the move – he wants Premier League football again. pic.twitter.com/KkEj76tIt2
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 18, 2022
The 20-year-old Brazilian striker, who netted three goals and registered one assist in 28 outings in his first full Premier League campaign, has become the subject of strong interest from Newcastle in the last few days as Eddie Howe desperately tries to improve his attacking contingent before the summer transfer window slams shut.
Newcastle made their initial play worth £20 million including add-ons earlier last week. It was swiftly turned down. But the Magpies have returned to the table with an improved offer, which has once again been unsuccessful.
However, the silver lining is that, despite the setback, Newcastle and Watford are expected to continue their discussions, and the Tyneside outfit are ready to push again to reach an agreement with the Championship club. Furthermore, given Watford have not put up a “not for sale” sign on the Brazilian striker, Newcastle will feel there is a deal to be done here.
Newcastle’s wealthy owners have so far insisted that they would not be held to ransom by other clubs over transfer fees, despite their deep pockets, and will not hesitate to walk away. So, it will be interesting to see whether they will bite the bullet and stump up the cash required to sign the 20-year-old, with the clock ticking down.
