Back in 2022, Newcastle United tried to do a deal with Watford to sign Joao Pedro, back when the player was still at Vicarage Road.
The striker never moved to St James’ Park in the end, staying with the now Championship side for an extra year before Brighton snapped up the Brazilian last summer.
He has been a great addition to Roberto De Zerbi’s squad, where he appears fully settled, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t affected by the failed move to Newcastle, as he explained in an interview with Globo Esporte.
The newspaper sat down with the young forward to discuss his career to date, and brought up the frustrated move to the north of England.
He said: “I had that negotiation with Newcastle. Even months ago, I was upset that I hadn’t left, but I said: now is my time at Watford, I have to make it happen, since it didn’t happen, this time it will.
“I made it happen last season, and I think Brighton was the best way forward. They’re a club that give opportunities to youngsters. It believes in us. I made the right choice. I’m very happy here.”
That isn’t what Newcastle fans, who wanted Pedro, will want to hear, but they have done quite well without him on the transfer market, signing the likes of Alexander Isak since.
The Brazilian swapped Watford for Brighton in a €34.2m transfer this summer, and has since scored six goals in 17 appearances for his new club, also picking up one assist.
