An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in Joao Pedro in the summer transfer window... 

What's the talk?

Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope has claimed that the Magpies are weighing up a fresh bid to sign the Brazilian centre-forward, who is reportedly valued at £30m by Watford, before the deadline next month.

He Tweeted: "Newcastle are considering whether to return with an improved offer for Watford’s Joao Pedro after a £20m bid was rejected. Not totally deterred by club’s “not for sale” stance just yet."

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth backed up that claim, Tweeting:

"Newcastle United discussing internally whether to back in with improved offer for Watford forward Joao Pedro - or focus on other targets. They have valuations & won’t overpay. Watford under no pressure to sell - Pedro has 3 years on his contract."

Callum Wilson's heir

By striking a deal to sign the forward, Newcastle could find their long-term heir to current Magpies number nine Callum Wilson. 

The English striker has scored 21 goals and produced five assists in 41 Premier League starts since joining the club from Bournemouth in 2020. This shows that he averages a goal roughly every other start for the Toon in the league and that he is a reliable scorer when fit.

However, keeping him fit and available has been a big issue over the last two seasons on Tyneside. He has been kept out of 35 matches in all competitions due to injury in that time and he will be 31 by the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

This means that Eddie Howe's first-choice centre-forward is an injury-prone and ageing player, meaning the club should now be thinking about his long-term replacement. 

Pedro could be an ideal signing to bring in with a view to him being Wilson's heir in the future. At the age of 20, he is a talent with plenty of time on his hands and he may be more receptive to playing a back-up role to the Englishman initially, whereas a 25-year-old heading into his prime may not like the idea of wasting time on the bench. 

The Brazilian, who Tom Cleverley once hailed as "hungry", has shown promise in his short career to date as he has racked up 31 Premier League appearances - and three goals - before his 21st birthday. He has also scored ten goals and provided three assists in 41 outings in the Championship for the Hornets.

These statistics show that he is far from the finished product, as is to be expected at his age, but his experience and goalscoring record in the second tier suggests that he is a talented young player with potential. He has been able to make a small impact in the top-flight despite his youthfulness and that is why he could be the long-term heir to Wilson.

Pedro could come in to support the ex-Cherries man for the 2022/23 campaign with a view to challenging him for his place and eventually replacing him in the future, which is why this could be a shrewd move by Newcastle.