Manager explains why ‘excellent’ £23m ace should reject Newcastle move

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Watford manager Rob Edwards believes the ‘excellent Joao Pedro should stay at the Championship outfit despite being offered a Premier League return by Newcastle United, speaking to The Athletic. 

When Watford once again found themselves in the relegation zone in May, few at Vicarage Road would have expected to see Emmanuel Dennis, Ismaila Sarr and Joao Pedro stick around for a season in the second tier.

Dennis, last week, joined Nottingham Forest. Sarr could be on his way to Crystal Palace. And Pedro is now a Newcastle United target; The Magpies seeing a £20 million bid rejected earlier this week. 

Pedro played the full 90 minutes in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham City. Only time will tell whether that proves to be his final appearance in that yellow shirt, with Newcastle refusing to accept defeat.

Newcastle United have £20m bid rejected by Watford for Joao Pedro

“Joao Pedro is already a very good player. He’s going to be an excellent footballer,” says Edwards, who’s won two and drawn two since replacing Roy Hodgson in Hertfordshire. 

“I do believe this is the right place for him at the moment (and) I think he would really benefit from playing a full season with us and obviously helping the football club (get) to where we want to be. 

“I think he can play a huge part in that, I think he’s fully committed to that. He’s so mature for a young age and he understands what he needs to do as well.” 

Whether Watford are willing to cash in on Joao Pedro, only time will tell. UOL claims that offers in the region of £23 million – a fee Newcastle should have no trouble reaching – will be considered. The Telegraph, however, believe such reports are wide of the mark; The 20-year-old Brazilian ‘not for sale’ as far as the Hornets are concerned. 

Should Sarr follow Dennis out the door, Watford would certainly be under no immediate pressure to let the youngster go. They already have £20 million in the back pocket from Nottingham Forest. Sarr would cost a similar fee.