The Brazilian forward from Brighton is a priority for Liverpool as they want to strengthen their attack for the 2025/26 season. According to information reported by the Brazilian outlet UOL, the Reds are willing to begin negotiations as early as January to get ahead in what is always a challenging English market. The interest isn't new: it has been following the player closely since 2019, when he made a name for himself at Watford.
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The Brazilian forward is only 23 years old, and he is far from an unknown figure. Liverpool has been tracking his development since his Watford days back in 2019, but João Pedro was like a fine wine that needed time and the right setting to show his true value. Today, he is one of the most promising talents in the Premier League, and his decisive goal against Manchester City is proof of that. Standing out in such a competitive league is no small feat.
Why is João Pedro so sought after?
João Pedro has one thing that is so rare in the forwards of today: that is why he might just be the perfect man for Arne Slot, the manager of Liverpool. He is a hybrid finisher and playmaker, the man who drops deep to help create plays before showing up in the correct positions to score. A team like Liverpool, reshaping its tactical machinery with the departure of Klopp, will need players with that mold.
But Liverpool is not alone in pursuit. Manchester United is another team that has been trying to find consistency for years now and sees João Pedro as a solution. It's ironic, almost poetic, that two rival clubs with such different philosophies have their sights on the same player as a priority signing.
This isn't just competition based on natural-born talents. Over time, Joao Pedro has showed the mentality that characterizes any big game player. Against Manchester City, he did what very few forwards could ever manage-to perform when it matters most, with the sword of Damocles dangling right above their necks. Liverpool and United badly need such kind of ability. It's Brighton-which has to act as a complicating factor to all giants,
If there is one club in England that knows how to sell, then it's Brighton, who have their reputation well earned as tough negotiators. João Pedro will not come cheap. The Brazilian arrived in 2023 for €35 million and, with his contract running until 2028, his market value is expected to rise further.
Brighton isn't in a rush to sell and doesn't have to. They are pretty aware that João Pedro is one of their assets, the one who leads their attack in crucial moments. This is why Liverpool would want to speed up negotiations as early as January. Waiting for too long means possibly seeing João Pedro land at Manchester United.
Liverpool must speed up things here
Liverpool knows time is not on their side. With Manchester United also in the mix, delaying the negotiations could prove risky. Arne Slot, in the early days of his tenure at the club, needs a major signing to put his mark on the team, and João Pedro appears to fit that profile perfectly.
But wanting is not enough. Brighton are not going to make life simple. They have honed the science of valuing their possessions and holding out when things get hot, as Liverpool may find once again in this transfer if they try to drag it. Most of all, United--for all their instability--have the monetary muscle to complete a move quickly. Brighton forward João Pedro: prize asset
João Pedro isn't just another name on the transfer market: at 23, he proved his technical quality, tactical versatility, and mental strength-all of those traits that both Liverpool and Manchester United like.
Brighton has all the cards in this deal, as it is well aware of its value and will not yield for less than a premium fee. A transfer involving João Pedro could shape the plans of two of England's biggest clubs competing for dominance across the coming seasons.
For Liverpool, securing João Pedro means filling a vital gap in their attack. For Manchester United, it's a chance to stabilize a team that has struggled for consistency. Both clubs know that in the fast-paced soccer market, hesitation can cost dearly, and João Pedro's signature may just be the prize that makes all the difference.