Chelsea Secures Joao Pedro in £60m Deal from Brighton

Key Takeaways

Chelsea has signed Brazilian forward Joao Pedro from Brighton in a £60 million deal, marking their 18th attacking player acquisition under current ownership.
Joao Pedro, 23, has scored 30 goals in 70 appearances during his time at Brighton after joining from Watford in 2023.
The signing is part of Chelsea's strategy to strengthen their attack, with the club also accepting a £55 million bid for Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund.
Chelsea's spending on forwards over the past three years totals £560 million, reflecting their focus on acquiring younger talents.
Joao Pedro is expected to make his Chelsea debut in the Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras, with former coach Edu Rubio praising the signing as a proven Premier League talent.

Chelsea Football Club has finalized the signing of Brazilian forward Joao Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal worth £60 million. The 23-year-old becomes the 18th attacking player to join the Blues in just over three years under their current ownership, bringing their total spending on forwards during this period to a staggering £560 million.

Joao Pedro, who has been playing in England since joining Watford from Fluminense in 2020, could make his Chelsea debut in the Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras on Saturday in Philadelphia. The forward has signed an eight-year contract with the club, although Chelsea can no longer spread the transfer fee over the length of the deal due to recent changes in Premier League regulations.

During his time at Brighton, Joao Pedro scored 30 goals in 70 appearances after signing from Watford in 2023 for a then-club-record fee of nearly £30 million. Speaking about his move, he said, "Everyone knows this is a big club with a great history. They had brilliant players in the past and have brilliant players now, so I am excited to join. When you are a Chelsea player, you must think one thing - win."

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler described the transfer as a "good move for all parties," adding that it was an excellent deal for the club and an opportunity for Joao Pedro to play Champions League football while solidifying his place in the Brazil national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

This signing is part of Chelsea's broader strategy to strengthen their attack. The club has also accepted a £55 million bid for Borussia Dortmund’s English winger Jamie Gittens, 20, signaling their intent to continue investing in young talent. With the addition of Joao Pedro, Chelsea now boasts a formidable forward line including Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, and Christopher Nkunku, among others.

Despite the influx of attacking players, Chelsea’s spending strategy focuses on acquiring younger talents on lower wages and selling them later for a profit. However, their ability to continue this approach may hinge on the Premier League’s response to recent financial maneuvers, including the sale of Chelsea’s women’s team to parent company BlueCo for £198.7 million, which has provided additional financial flexibility.

Former West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Wolves coach Edu Rubio praised the signing, stating, "Joao Pedro is exactly what Chelsea need. He is Premier League tested and proven, not a gamble." Rubio highlighted Pedro’s versatility, physicality, and ability to link up play as key attributes that will bolster Chelsea’s attack under manager Enzo Maresca.

As Chelsea prepares for their upcoming Club World Cup fixture, the signing of Joao Pedro underscores their ambition to compete at the highest level both domestically and internationally.