Watford might be in line for an unexpected seven-figure windfall with reports that Joao Pedro could leave Brighton this summer.
The 23-year-old Brazil international left Watford for the south coast two years ago and has been a big success, scoring 10 goals in 30 appearances this season.
However, it’s understood that there was a training ground spat between Pedro and his teammate Jean Paul van Hecke a few days ago.
Having just served a three-game ban for a red card he received in the 4-2 defeat at Brentford last month, Pedro was not even on the bench on Monday night as the Seagulls beat champions Liverpool 3-2.
Perhaps tellingly, van Hecke – voted Brighton’s player of the season and tipped to be a future captain – played the full 90 minutes of the game at The Amex.
After Monday’s game, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler said of Pedro returning to the team: “We have to see. Joao had private reasons why he was not available. Let’s see how it is going to continue.”
Although the fee Watford received for the striker in 2023 was never announced, it was believed to be around the £30m mark, with further payments due linked to performances, success etc.
One report in a national newspaper today suggests Brighton would be looking for at least £70m for Pedro – neither club has ever shared details of sell-on arrangements, but with even a 10% sell-on fee that would see Watford trouser some £4m.
In his first season the Brazilian scored 20 goals in 40 outings for Brighton, and made his full international debut for his country in a World Cup qualifier against Colombia in November 2023.
He has since earned two further caps, the most recent also against Colombia in March.
Watford paid Fluminense around £10m for Pedro in 2020 when he was still only 18.
Having arrived as a gangly teenager, he left the club as one of the most popular players at Vicarage Road – and he spoke with equal passion about Watford in an exclusive Watford Observer interview in September 2022.
He made his Hornets debut in an FA Cup tie against Tranmere in January 2021, and chalked up three brief Premier League appearances at the end of the Covid-hit relegation season.
He was a regular as promotion straight back to the Premier League was achieved in 20/21, and was one of the few bright spots in a miserable relegation campaign a year later.
Pedro scored 11 goals in 35 appearances in what was to be his final season at Vicarage Road, and was voted Player of the Season at the end of that 22/23 campaign.
Slaven Bilic made him captain just before the end of his time as head coach, and Chris Wilder also gave Pedro the armband during his 11-game stint in charge.
The Brazilian was regularly linked with clubs like Liverpool and Real Madrid during his time at Vicarage Road – often the handiwork of a very diligent agent – and so rumours suggesting the Premier League champions, along with Arsenal, are keen to sign him may just be that again.
However, should the talk of his exit prove to be accurate, then Watford’s bank balance will receive a welcome boost.
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