Chelsea have agreed a deal worth up to £60 million for Brighton & Hove Albion forward João Pedro.
He comes as an addition to Enzo Maresca’s squad ahead of the quarter finals of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The 23-year-old Brazilian has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues and will travel from his native Brazil to the United States to undergo a medical before joining the squad in Philadelphia.
With FIFA allowing clubs to register new players for the tournament between June 27 and July 3, Pedro will be eligible to play immediately and could make his Chelsea debut in the quarter-final clash against Palmeiras on Friday, with kick-off set for 1:00 GMT on Saturday.
Pedro’s arrival is a major boost to Chelsea’s attacking options as the club continues to reshape its squad under new manager Maresca.
The former Watford and Brighton star is seen as a versatile forward, capable of leading the line as a traditional No. 9 or playing across the front three.
His adaptability and flair were key factors in Chelsea pushing ahead of other interested clubs, including Newcastle United, whose £50 million bid was rejected last week.
Pedro Wanted Chelsea
It’s understood that Pedro had his sights firmly set on Chelsea, despite several top-flight clubs showing interest in recent weeks.
Brighton, although initially unwilling to sell, accepted Chelsea’s offer as it met their valuation and respected the player’s ambition to play at the highest level of European football.
The Seagulls will also benefit from a sell-on clause in the deal, while Watford, Pedro’s previous club, are due 20 per cent of the profit on the transfer.
Brighton had acquired Pedro from Watford for £35 million in May 2023, making Chelsea’s purchase a highly profitable move for the South Coast side.
Pedro leaves Brighton after making 70 appearances and notching 40 goal contributions in all competitions.
His performances in the 2023/24 season were instrumental in Brighton’s top 10 Premier League finish and their historic European campaign.
He finished as the top scorer in the UEFA Europa League group stage, including a memorable late winner against Marseille that helped secure the club’s place in the knockout rounds.
While Pedro has largely been a professional, his recent red card against Brentford and a reported training ground altercation with teammate Jan Paul van Hecke contributed to speculation about his future.
Though he is not viewed as a disruptive influence, the incidents did not sit well internally and may have accelerated discussions regarding a summer exit.
Other Signings
Meanwhile, the Blues are also on the verge of completing another significant acquisition, with Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens set to join the club in a deal worth €65 million (£55.5 million).
The 20-year-old winger has already agreed personal terms and passed his medical ahead of a seven-year contract.
However, Gittens will not be eligible for the Club World Cup, having already featured for Dortmund in their group stage opener against Fluminense.
While Gittens is expected to join the squad later in July, Pedro will integrate with Maresca’s side immediately, providing a fresh attacking threat ahead of Chelsea’s Club World Cup campaign.
The London club is seeking to claim its second world title after winning the competition in 2021.
As for Brighton, their forward department still has depth, with the likes of Danny Welbeck, Evan Ferguson, Georginio Rutter, and highly-rated youngster Charalampos Kostoulas all available.
The club will take a measured approach to replacing Pedro, remaining committed to their strategy of developing players and selling at peak value when the time is right.
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