Chelsea have begun negotiating terms with Brighton to sign João Pedro. The English team wants to finalise the transfer before the FIFA Club World Cup early next month in the United States. The 23-year-old forward who already has experience playing with the Brazil national team and is in excellent form is the club's top target to strengthen the squad ahead of the tournament. The initial offer is in the region of €60 million and the aim is to secure the player as soon as possible.
Wearing a Brighton shirt in top form
There was a great season from João Pedro at Brighton. He scored 10 and assisted 7 times in 17 involvements. This earned him the tag of being the Premier League’s Best Under-23 Player. This performance did not pass without being recognized since several people in the European world of football noticed it.
Internally, the feeling is that he can contribute immediately and still has potential to develop further. That he is playing in the Premier League already makes the acclimatization simpler and this is important given the limited time frame before the tournament.
Pressure resulting from global competition
The Club World Cup is now a strategic target of intent from Chelsea. With the team having already qualified at the group stage, it was drawn in Group D and contains both Flamengo and Espérance. The third team will be determined from the match between Club América and LAFC. Management of the club is aware that if the club is to compete for the title effectively, it requires players who are capable and willing to compete. João Pedro is being targeted particularly because he is in good form after finishing the season strongly and is familiar with English football.
There is a unique window between June 1 and 10 in the course of the tournament. Chelsea would want to use the window to get the player and have access to him from the group stages onward. That is where the urgency comes in.
By moving fast, Chelsea aims to forestall the pandemonium of a bid war. But Brighton will realize it's got a gem and will bargain carefully more than likely. Its board is conscious of the state of the market and also understands the slim window means it can't hesitate over its options too much.
There are to be intensified negotiations upon the completion of the Premier League season. Chelsea want to make the deal before the Club World Cup window opens and get João Pedro registered in the very final moment. The problem lies in negotiating the financial terms and conditions of the transaction without holding back the process.
In addition to this, the signing also means looking ahead to the coming season when the team will need a more competitive and deeper roster. The team is rebuilding and needs those who can produce immediately but also those who have potential. That is the exact kind of player João Pedro is. Young and yet with first-class experience, the kind of player Chelsea feels is needed when they are building a team based around stability, performance, and character.