Newcastle and Chelsea told price to seal Joao Pedro transfer as two bids rejected

Brighton are seeking a £60million package to sanction Joao Pedro's exit. In the past week, the Seagulls have rebuffed an offer worth up to £50m from Newcastle for the Brazilian international forward.

However, Amex chiefs are also understood to have rejected an undisclosed bid from another unnamed Premier League club for Pedro. Albion, who are notoriously stubborn negotiators, are well aware that Chelsea also have the 23-year-old on their attacking shortlist which could help inflate the player's price.

The Blues are believed to have held initial discussions, though it's not clear at this stage whether Chelsea are the mystery team that's lodged a bid and their interest could yet be linked to the future of Christopher Nkunku.

Brighton signed Pedro from Watford in a deal worth just shy of £30m in the summer of 2023 and they're determined to double their money. The Hornets also have an undisclosed sell-on clause which is poised to impact Brighton's thinking at the negotiating table.

Pedro, who has scored 30 goals in 70 Albion appearances, was banished from Fabian Hurzeler's squad for the final two Premier League matches of the season following an alleged training ground spat with Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke.

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He is a target of long-standing interest to Newcastle as they were keen on a move in August 2022 when talks were advanced over a £30m swoop. Now Eddie Howe's side will have to cough up twice that figure as Pedro's value has sky-rocketed after two seasons on the South Coast.

Newcastle have ramped up talks for three key targets as they also continue to pursue moves for Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga and Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.

An initial bid worth up to £45m including add-ons was knocked back by Forest for the former Manchester United winger but discussions are continuing between the parties.

Meanwhile, Brighton have already brought in extra firepower at the top end of the pitch as they prepare to part company with Pedro.

A £29.78m deal for Olympiakos forward Charalampos Kostoulas was completed earlier this month while fellow Greek talent Stefanos Tzimas is also due to arrive at the Amex from FC Nurnberg where he spent the second half of last season on loan.

Bayern Munich's interest in Kaoru Mitoma has cooled but Albion are cautious that they may need to tie down the Japanese winger to fresh terms to fight off future bids as he only has two years left to run on his current contract.

Saudi Pro League Al-Nassr are still looking for a left-winger after their £54.42m approach for Mitoma was rejected by Brighton in January. Liverpool's Luis Diaz also features prominently on their shortlist.

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