Blues reportedly tie up João Pedro deal | OneFootball

Chelsea have finalised a deal to bring João Pedro to Stamford Bridge from Brighton, according to The Guardian.

The Brazilian forward, who had also attracted interest from Newcastle, was reportedly focused solely on joining the west London side.

Talks accelerated over the weekend, the upshot being that Chelsea have agreed to pay a fee exceeding £50 million for the 23-year-old.

The Guardian report states that Chelsea have secured João Pedro on a seven-year contract. He is due to arrive from Brazil for a medical in the United States on Monday and could even feature in Friday’s Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras.

Chelsea are also believed to have struck a deal to acquire Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens for a sum close to £55 million, although the English forward will not eligible to appear for the Blues at the Club World Cup as he has already played for Dortmund in the tournament’s US fixtures.

Pedro’s addition provides Enzo Maresca with greater tactical flexibility up front - Chelsea's manager keen to recruit forwards who can operate across multiple attacking roles.

João Pedro is viewed as a more natural fit at Stamford Bridge than either Christopher Nkunku or João Félix.

Félix, reportedly wanted by Benfica, was not included in the Club World Cup squad. Nkunku, currently with the Blues in the US, netted Chelsea’s second goal against Benfica on Saturday. However, the Frenchman has fallen down the pecking order and may be sold if the right offer arrives.