'I think he's talented': Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith gives verdict on Newcastle United target Joao Pedro

The rumours around João Pedro making a move from Brighton and Hove Albion to Newcastle United are starting to gather a lot of pace.

Not for the first time, Newcastle have been linked with a move for the Brazilian after the Magpies missed out on signing him from Watford in 2023 before he moved to the Seagulls.

João Pedro has shown some flashes of sheer brilliance at Brighton without being truly consistent, but he's definitely shown enough that Eddie Howe still feels he'd be a good fit at Newcastle.

Brighton won't be too reluctant to sell the 23-year-old this summer after a couple of disciplinary issues saw him dropped from the squad at the back end of the season.

Getty Images

Alan Smith has praised João Pedro's character

After receiving a three-game ban for a red card against Brentford, João Pedro had a huge bust-up with Jan Paul van Hecke, which resulted in Fabian Hurzeler dropping him from the squad for the final two games of the season.

Yet despite this bust-up, Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith has talked up his leadership qualities when discussing a potential move to Newcastle (via Sussex World).

"Newcastle do need somebody else to be able to play through the middle, and João Pedro can certainly do that,” said Smith.

"He is versatile and can play on a flank as well.

"I do like him, I think he’s talented, and I think he’s got good character as well, a good leader. He was captain at Watford for a time. Got himself 10 goals in the league this season. Maybe not an out-and-out goalscorer, but I think he’s a player that a lot of clubs would quite fancy.

"I mean, Brighton – they’re a dealing, buying, selling sort of club, aren’t they? They have a turnover of players, and they sell at the right time, so we’ll see on that one."

We aren't fans of Jan Paul van Hecke either

Given that Anthony Gordon shoved Jan Paul van Hecke to the ground and he went down like he'd had his head ripped off, we're inclined to side with Joao Pedro on this one anyway.

If there is a potential attitude problem, then it's clear it's not enough of a concern to Eddie Howe, and that's all that matters to us.

Hopefully, Newcastle will start to pick up the pace in their pursuit of João Pedro, especially with Brighton closing in on the signing of Charalampos Kostoulas.