Latest developments
- Liverpool want to sign Joao Pedro from Brighton in the summer.
- The Brazilian has been on the Reds' radar for many years.
- Manchester United are also keen on the 23-year-old.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (2.5/5): News broke in Brazil
Liverpool are keen on adding Brighton & Hove Albion's Joao Pedro to their ranks in the summer of 2025, though they want to hold talks with the Seagulls in January.
This is being widely reported today, including by 90min.com, after the story broke in Brazil yesterday on sport website uolesporte.com. Little is known of the sources, but given Liverpool's interest in Joao Pedro for some time, it is plausible they want to seal a deal soon, with Man Utd also wanting to negotiate.
Value (2.5/5): Seagulls will want money's worth
Arriving from Watford in summer 2023, Brighton have Joao Pedro under contract until 2028 and will not want to let him go without a high price, considering his seven goal involvements in nine Premier League appearances his injury-hit season.
With a market value of £41.2 million, a bid of £50 million might not be enough to get Brighton to the negotiating table.
Suitability (4/5): Versatile forward and goal scorer
Arriving in England as a teenager in January 2020, Joao Pedro has long since proven he can adapt to the English game, and has improved his goalscoring rate since moving to the south coast, with 24 in 49 appearances to date.
A centre-forward who can also drop back to be a second striker or attacking midfielder, his versatility allows him to play in either the 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formations favoured by Arne Slot.
Upgrade? (3/5): As good on his day?
Liverpool's first choice centre-forward and attacking midfielder, Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai, are both world class players when at their best, though they both lack consistency at times.
Joao Pedro might struggle to usurp either of them straight away, but certainly has the ability to put real pressure on them for those starting places.
Logic (4/5): The next step up
Having gone from relegation battles to hunts for European qualification – and improved along the way – UEFA Champions League football and title challenges seems the next step for the 23-year-old, who will want to add to his solitary Brazil cap.
Liverpool can offer him that, while his abilities in numerous positions make him a handy squad addition at Anfield.
Whisper+ verdict: 16/25
We will need a few sources close to the clubs to give this rumour extra verification, but Liverpool's prior interest can give hope to Reds fans who have been impressed by his recent performances.
