According to Sport, Liverpool and Manchester United are among the clubs interested in hijacking Watford’s deal for Joao Pedro this summer, with Barcelona being the latest club to join the chase. The Fluminense forward was sold to Watford at the end of 2018, before he was even promoted to the senior side.
But, Liverpool, along with these two other clubs, believe they can convince Watford to sell the youngster, who can’t possibly sign a contract for the Hornets before turning 18. Pedro turns 18 in September, meaning he will able to join the Premier League outfit in the winter transfer window at the start of next year.
Joao Pedro’s rapid rise to prominence
Pedro is regarded as the next big thing in Brazilian football, having impressed a lot in the youth leagues. He was promoted to the Fluminense first-team at the start of this year. He didn’t play a single game up until 18th May when he came on as a substitute to score a brace in the 4-1 win over Cruzeiro.
He has since become a first-team regular at Fluminense, notably scoring yet another brace against Colombian giants Atletico Nacional in the Copa Sudamericana. Overall, Pedro has made six appearances for the Brazillian outfit in all competitions, scoring six goals and providing one assist.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise as to why he has garnered interest from some of the top clubs across Europe. And the youngster is sure to become a valuable asset for Brazil if he can continue his form in the domestic level.
What can Pedro bring to the table?
As you would expect from any Brazilian talent, Pedro is blessed with immense technical quality. A centre-forward by trade, he can also feature as a left-winger. And that makes sense given the fact that the 17-year-old loves to take on defenders.
While operating as a striker, Pedro has excellent spatial awareness and tends to track back to either pick-up balls from midfield or help out his side during defensive phases. He has a remarkable physique as well that enables him to ride challenges to make himself a nuisance inside the penalty box.
Should Liverpool make a move for Pedro?
Pedro could be a decent long-term investment for Liverpool given the fact that the youngster will not be able to join the club before 2021. The Reds have struggled with the injury-prone nature of Roberto Firmino, and though Divock Origi has shown promising signs in recent weeks, Pedro is someone who can be groomed into an ideal replacement for his compatriot.
It’s far too early to judge whether or not he will able to make his mark in the fast-paced nature of English football. But, if Liverpool can find a way to prolong his stay at Fluminense, it will give the youngster some valuable experience in top-flight football. Hence, it will be interesting to see how this transfer saga takes shape in the coming weeks.
