Player now ‘pushing hard’ to join Newcastle as Toon are handed hidden boost - The Athletic

According to The Athletic's Adam Leventhal, Joao Pedro is now 'pushing hard' to seal a move to St James' Park after a series of bid from Newcastle United.

Our most recent offer is believed to be around £25m, with another £5m included in add-ons as well as a 10% sell-on clause, but the Championship side seem adamant on getting a guaranteed £30m, suggesting once again that Fabrizio Romano jumped the gun with his 'done deal' claims last night.

However, it's positive to hear the Brazilian is so eager to arrive on Tyneside - where he would link up with South American compatriots Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton - suggesting his head may not turn if Everton do match our offer for the 20-year-old.

After already losing their star forward Emmanuel Dennis to Nottingham Forest, The Athletic also report that Watford will NOT allow both Joao Pedro and Ismaila Sarr to leave, yet it seems like we've been handed some good news on that front now the latter has seen a move to Aston Villa collapse.

Leventhal reveals that the Senegalese star looks 'set to stay' at Vicarage Road, with the Hornets now in talks to hand the 24-year-old a new contract, something which can only be good news in our pursuit of Pedro - who is missing from Watford's squad to face MK Dons in the Carabao Cup tonight.

After another injury worry for Callum Wilson, it is essential that we find some attacking reinforcements such as the young forward who can ease the pressure on Wilson and help to manage his minutes in the run up for the World Cup.