Chelsea agree £50m-plus fee for Brighton’s Joao Pedro

Joao Pedro from Brighton has agreed to pay Chelsea a fee that is more than £50 million.

The 23-year-old is expected to agree to a seven-year deal and be eligible to compete in the Fifa Club World Cup.

Joao Pedro will travel from Brazil to the United States for a medical checkup, and he could make his first appearance on Friday in Philadelphia’s quarter-finalee (BST 02:00).

Newcastle reportedly had an interest in the forward, with Brighton known to have rejected two bids from unnamed Premier League clubs before reaching an agreement with Chelsea.

Following a contract with Borussia Dortmund to sign English winger Jamie Gittens for £55 million on Saturday, just before Chelsea defeated Benfica to reach the club world cup’s last eight, the move follows.

The 20-year-old Gittens, who has already played for the German club, are not allowed to play in the tournament for Enzo Maresca’s side.

Joao Pedro, meanwhile, comes to Brighton after earning a club record $ 30 million move from Watford in 2023 after netting 30 goals and 10 assists in 70 games.