Everton have reportedly submitted an enquiry to sign Brazilian attacker Joao Pedro from Championship club Watford this summer.
According to Football Insider, Everton are said to have approached Watford regarding Joao Pedro, who was close to joining Newcastle United, while there is speculation of Anthony Gordon heading for a big-money move to Chelsea.
Everton have made five signings so far this summer, with Amadou Onana, James Tarkowski, and Dwight McNeil joining permanently, while Conor Coady and Ruben Vinagre moved to Goodison Park on loan. Richarlison has been their biggest summer departure so far, joining Tottenham Hotspur in a deal for up to £60 million.
Everton might now sell again this summer for a fee in the same ballpark, with reports claiming they are bracing themselves for life without buzzing academy graduate Antony Gordon, who has been the subject of a rejected £45 million bid from Chelsea. However, the Blues are reportedly willing to spend £60 million, including add-ons, for Gordon this summer.
Such a bid might be too good to turn down from Everton’s perspective, given their desperate financial predicament at the start of the summer transfer window. Also, it is suggested that Gordon desires to leave Everton for Stamford Bridge this summer, but a deal at this stage of the window would leave them short of attacking options and with little time to find a replacement.
To address this, it seems as though the Toffees have already started their last-minute recruitment drive, enquiring about Watford’s precocious Brazilian attacker Pedro. The 20-year-old Brazilian attacker is currently in his fourth season at Vicarage Road, having joined the Hornets from Fluminense in 2020, scoring 14 times from 76 appearances since then.
While the Hornets are not under pressure to sanction a sale as Pedro’s existing deal is not due to expire until the summer of 2025, they are open to cashing in on their prized asset for the right price. The Brazilian forward wants out of the Championship club and is keen on returning to the Premier League amid interest from Everton and Newcastle.
Everton are not the first top-flight club to express interest in Pedro. Newcastle United are also interested in the Brazilian striker and have reportedly submitted a fresh bid of £30 million including for the Brazilian after having an opening offer rejected by Watford. But the Toffees, who might be boosted by a £50 million+ cash injection coming their way if Gordon leaves, have entered the race and are willing to match Newcastle’s present offer on the table.
Although Pedro has not been particularly prolific for Watford, he is only 20 years old and is getting better and physically stronger with each passing season, and comes with a high ceiling. He is a versatile attacker, who can play anywhere across the front line, which would make him quite a handy tool for Everton boss Frank Lampard.
It has previously been reported that he wants to join Newcastle’s Brazilian contingent of Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes, with a deal already in place. But a surprise move to Everton cannot be ruled out, with the Toffees very capable hijackers, having signed Amadou Onana under the noses of West Ham United by offering a higher wage earlier this summer. Whether they can repeat the trick this time around remains to be seen.
