Arsenal’s true stance on Joao Pedro transfer revealed amid £100,000,000 links

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Arsenal are admirers of João Pedro, but the Brazilian isn’t high up on the Gunners’ transfer shortlist, Arsenal Insider understands.

Pedro is enjoying a productive season for Brighton, scoring ten goals and providing seven assists across all competitions thus far.

This form has sparked interest from multiple Premier League clubs, including the Gunners, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Nico Williams is understood to be Arsenal’s primary winger target, while Viktor Gyokeres looks likely to arrive at the Emirates, making Pedro an improbable acquisition.

However, Andrea Berta is keen not to put all his eggs in one basket, and is monitoring the versatile Brighton forward as a possible candidate to fulfil a role in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

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Joao Pedro is not ‘top of Arsenal’s agenda’

It’s well-documented that Arsenal want a winger and a striker this summer, and Pedro would be capable of covering both roles.

The 23-year-old has played in both positions at a high level, and thus, the Gunners could kill two birds with one stone by signing the Brighton forward.

However, contrary to some reports, transfer expert Graeme Bailey told Arsenal Insider that while Pedro has been on Arsenal’s radar for some time, he’s not an option currently near the top of Berta’s wishlist.

“He is someone on a lot of teams’ radars,” he said.

“He has been since he was at Watford. I did confirm with Brighton a few months ago that they’re not looking to sell him, they class him in the £100 million bracket.

“And so, they’re putting people off with that at the minute. With him, it’s a World Cup year as well. He wants to secure that number nine shirt for Brazil. If, in theory, he went to an Arsenal, does it make that easier?

“In theory, yes, but only if you’re playing. So, I think that’s a consideration for players like him. There is historic interest there, but I don’t really think he’s really top of their agenda at the moment. They really are concentrating on [Viktor] Gyokeres.”

Joao Pedro’s statistics 2024/25

As Bailey alluded to, Gyokeres is Arsenal’s priority at the moment.

However, they could still turn to Pedro as the secondary forward they bring in this summer, or if a deal for the Swede cannot be agreed.

As shown by the data above, the Brazil international is an excellent ball carrier, while he possesses a nice balance of being a goal threat and a creative outlet.

However, his underlying numbers have taken a hit this season, and taking fewer than two shots per 90 minutes certainly isn’t an encouraging sign for his goal-scoring prospects moving forward.

At the prospective hefty price, Pedro would certainly be a risky signing, although he’s certainly still someone worth considering.