Joao Pedro Explains Newcastle Snub Before Isak Exit

Joao Pedro has opened up on why he rejected a move to Newcastle United as he opted to join Chelsea this summer.

Chelsea signed Pedro from Brighton before their triumphant Club World Cup campaign this summer.

The Blues fended off competition from Newcastle United, who had a bid of around £50 million rejected by Brighton.

The 23-year-old wanted a move to Chelsea, who made him their top target this summer.

The Stamford Bridge outfit eventually struck a deal with the Seagulls in a deal worth up to £60 million.

Newcastle had hoped to recruit Pedro to bolster their attacking options and pair him with Alexander Isak, who, at the time, was still at St. James' Park and had not informed the club of his desire to leave.

Pedro, who starred at the Club World Cup, has scored two league goals in three games this season and has explained the reasoning behind his switch to Chelsea.

Joao Pedro snubbed a move to Newcastle United in favour of a transfer to Chelsea. Image: Getty

He revealed that he wanted to live in London and missed the English capital when he was at Brighton, having lived there during his four-year spell at Watford.

“When I was in Brighton, I was missing London a little bit," he told The Standard. "I had a chance to move to another club, but I chose Chelsea because it’s in London, it’s a big club, and I knew in my head it was the right move," he added, referring to Newcastle, who were unsuccessful in their pursuit of the Brazilian forward.

Pedro arrived in England when Watford recruited him from Fluminense.

He scored 24 goals in 109 games for Watford, alerting Brighton, who splashed out a fee of just under £30 million - in what was a club-record deal at the time.

Joao Pedro lived in London when he played for Watford. Image: Getty

Newcastle's misery was compounded when Isak asked to leave the club, with the star forward eventually securing his desired transfer to Liverpool.

Having missed out on Pedro and losing Isak, Newcastle, in turn, have signed Nick Woltemade, who cost a club-record £69 million, and Yoane Wissa.