CHELSEA are plotting a swoop to hijack Newcastle’s move for Joao Pedro.
Sun Sport revealed talks have begun between the Magpies and Brighton over a £60million deal for the Brazilian forward.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is eyeing more attacking reinforcements this summer[/caption]
The Italian is set to rival Newcastle for the signature of Brighton’s Joao Pedro[/caption]
That was after the 23-year-old’s representatives indicated he wanted to join them and be part of their Champions League push.
Toon knew that Chelsea were also keen, but now the west Londoners could be about to try and launch their own move.
Like Newcastle, Blues chiefs are huge admirers of his ability and versatility to play anywhere across the front line.
Unlike their Premier League rivals, they are yet to open negotiations with the Seagulls, but they are considering an attempt to land him and bolster Enzo Marseca’s squad.
Brighton already have Greek attacker Charalampos Kostoulas as a replacement.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is a big fan of Pedro and missed out on him three years ago when he was at Watford before eventually landing Alexander Isak.
Brighton are willing to cash in on the Samba star after he was axed for the last two games of the season by Fabian Hurzeler.
That followed a training-ground bust-up with team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke.
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Chelsea have only made one addition to their squad so far this summer, the £30million acquisition of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.
But Blues boss Maresca is keen to add more attacking reinforcements before they kick off their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace on August 17.
The Italian said: “Jadon [Sancho] is not with us so for sure that is a position we need to do something.
“We have Noni [Madueke], Pedro [Neto] and Ty[rique George] only as the proper wingers.
“So something, for sure, is going to happen.”
