Chelsea Finalize £60m Move for Joao Pedro, Set for Club World Cup Debut
Stamford Bridge — Chelsea has struck a £60 million deal to sign Brighton forward Joao Pedro, marking one of the club’s biggest moves of the summer transfer window. The 23-year-old Brazilian is expected to undergo a medical in the United States and could debut in Friday’s FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal against Palmeiras.
Pedro’s transfer includes a £55 million fee and £5 million in potential add-ons. He will sign a seven-year contract with Chelsea, who beat out interest from Newcastle and two other Premier League clubs.
The agreement follows Chelsea’s recent £55 million deal with Borussia Dortmund for English winger Jamie Gittens. Although Gittens is ineligible for the Club World Cup after playing for Dortmund earlier in the tournament, Pedro could feature immediately in Philadelphia.
Pedro scored 30 goals and recorded 10 assists in 70 matches for Brighton. He joined the club in 2023 for a then-record £30 million from Watford. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler omitted him from the final league game of the season against Tottenham due to a minor issue, which sources now confirm was related to the transfer talks.
Chelsea’s signing spree also includes Liam Delap from Ipswich for £30 million, Portuguese midfielder Dario Essugo, and French defender Mamadou Sarr. Combined, the club has spent about £170 million this summer targeting players under 25.
Pedro’s arrival is expected to shift Chelsea’s attacking setup. Club sources indicate the deal could pave the way for Christopher Nkunku’s exit, given the overlapping roles of the two forwards. Mykhailo Mudryk remains provisionally suspended after a failed drug test, and Jadon Sancho has returned to Manchester United after a loan spell.
“Chelsea are building for depth and flexibility,” said a source close to the club. “The intention is to compete strongly in both domestic and international competitions next season.”
Joao Pedro’s performance at Brighton earned him recognition for his versatility and composure in the box. He averaged a goal contribution every other game and is seen as a forward capable of thriving in multiple systems.
Chelsea’s activity in the market is expected to slow as focus shifts to outgoing transfers. Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling, Armando Broja, and Carney Chukwuemeka have not joined the squad in America and are likely to leave in the coming weeks.
Chelsea fans will watch closely as Pedro prepares for a potential debut in a high-stakes quarterfinal. A victory would not only advance Chelsea in the Club World Cup but could also hand the club an additional £9.6 million in prize earnings.
