Chelsea agree £50m deal for Premier League forward as Blues face race against time to complete transfer in time for him to play in Club World Cup

Chelsea have reached an agreement worth more than £50million with Brighton to sign Joao Pedro, beating Newcastle to the 23-year-old Brazilian.

Pedro was understood to have made it clear that Enzo Maresca’s side were his preference once senior officials at Stamford Bridge enquired on the versatile attacker. A seven-year contract is in the works.

Pedro will follow a well-trodden path from Brighton to Chelsea, after Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo and Robert Sanchez made the same move.

Levi Colwill also spent time on loan with the Seagulls previously.

Chelsea have until July 3 — the day before they play Palmeiras in Philadelphia — to make new additions to their Club World Cup squad in the United States.

Pedro is admired by Maresca because he can play across a front line and is expected to fly to the US to join his new team-mates. 

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is closing in on completing his second summer signing

Brighton have accepted an offer from Chelsea worth more than £50m for striker Joao Pedro

Pedro can make his debut at the Club World Cup if he signs in time for Chelsea’s next match

Chelsea have already landed Liam Delap for £30m in this window, and are set to sign Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund for around £55m.

Pedro missed the end of Brighton’s season after a training-ground altercation with team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke.

The former Watford star has scored 30 goals in 70 games for Brighton, who paid around £30m to sign him in 2023.

Brighton finished eight points below Chelsea in the Premier League last season.