Chelsea will have to up £50 bid for “massive talent” who wants to be Brazil’s number 9 | OneFootball

We’ve already reported today on the news that Chelsea have had a £50m+ bid rejected for Brighton’s Joao Pedro rejected, but this afternoon the well connected Ben Jacobs has returned with more information on the deal.

Our interest in the Brazil striker has been reported pretty much all summer, but has stepped up a gear in the last 24 hours, with more detail on our bids emerging from a number of sources.

Jacobs is always well connected with Chelsea, and he’s provided a wealth of information about our pursuit of the former Watford man.

Joao Pedro seen as Christopher Nkunku replacement by Chelsea directors

Ben Jacobs information on Joao Pedro bid.

Firstly the bids in excess of £50m are confirmed by Jacobs, who goes into more detail about the history of our interest. Chelsea “opened talks in mid-June,” meaning rivals Newcastle already have the jump on us by a few weeks.

The Blues see the versatile attacker as a “strong profile” to replace Christopher Nkunku, who will leave this summer if a buyer can be found. Liverpool are also named as a team interested in Joao Pedro this summer.

Bobby Zamora on “fantastic player” Joao Pedro

Brighton striker coach Bobby Zamora was speaking to Sky Sports about Joao Pedro and his huge potential earlier today:

“Joao’s hungry, he wants to be playing for Brazil… Joao is a fantastic player, a massive talent. And I’m sure there’s more to come from him. He’s desperate to cement that place [as Brazil number 9] himself, and he’s got the ability.”

You can see Zamora speaking in the clip from Sky Sports embedded here:

It sounds like Chelsea, Newcastle and Liverpool are going to be locked into quote the battle for him, and will have to decide what level of price they’re willing to pay for the attacker.