Joao Pedro and Anthony Elanga update – Rival interest and reply to Newcastle enquiry
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Over the past 48 hours, a few solid links have emerged over two potential big-money arrivals at Newcastle United.
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Friday afternoon saw Craig Hope break news of us returning to the table for Anthony Elanga, while The Telegraph revealed yesterday that Joao Pedro is also a leading target up top, with Newcastle set to step up their interest in the Brighton forward.
Today, The Mail’s Craig Hope has returned with an update on both and revealed one rival bidder, with reports also hinting at the price tag Newcastle may have to pay in order to land the Swede and Brazilian.
Pedro contact, Chelsea and ‘big’ numbers
Newcastle United have now made contact with Brighton over a potential deal to sign Joao Pedro, Craig Hope reports.
Club-to-club discussions now appear to be taking place with Brighton and Nottingham Forest for both targets, although it seems one Premier League rival is also showing interest in Pedro.
Surprise, surprise, it’s Chelsea, with Hope reporting that Enzo Maresca’s free-spending Blues are ‘also interested’, despite recently landing a £30m striker this month in former Toon target Liam Delap.
The i and The Telegraph suggest that Pedro is likely to cost in the region of £60m, and it seems Elanga will be anything but cheap.
In Hope’s update on X today, he reveals that the response to our enquiry and early talks suggest the ‘numbers could be big’ if we’re to land the former Man Utd talent.
This comes after Newcastle had bids in excess of £35-40m rejected by Forest on deadline day last summer, although their demands may have only creased since then after 17 goal involvements over their impressive 2024/25 campaign.
At least £110m needed?
Time will tell if demands drop or a favourable deal can be negotiated, but Newcastle will almost certainly have to pay that Premier League premium to land both Joao Pedro and Anthony Elanga.
The early signs suggest Pedro will cost £60m, while ‘in excess of £50m’ was highlighted by Hope in his initial exclusive on Elanga two nights ago.
On the plus side, they are both 23, Premier League proven, have 72 goal involvements between them over the past two seasons, are long-term targets and offer that versatility Eddie Howe loves.
However, some will argue that better value exists abroad, especially when the budget must also make room for the arrival of a goalkeeper and centre-back this summer
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