Brighton & Hove Albion attacker Joao Pedro is reportedly attracting interest from some of the Premier League's biggest clubs ahead of 2025.
The 23-year-old has established himself as a star player for the Seagulls since joining from Watford for a then club-record £30m fee in the summer of 2023.
Pedro scored 20 goals in 40 appearances for Brighton across all competitions in his debut campaign at the club, including nine Premier League goals in 31 games and six in as many Europa League matches.
The Brazil international has since contributed with four goals and three assists in nine Premier League fixtures so far this season, despite spending over a month on the sidelines through injury, with Fabian Hurzeler's men sitting seventh in the table.
Pedro's impressive form is understood to have caught the eye of a few top English clubs, with one recent report claiming that Liverpool have a 'strong interest' in the versatile attacker.
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Liverpool step up Joao Pedro pursuit amid Arsenal, Man United interest
Arsenal have allegedly joined the race for Pedro, while Brazilian news outlet UOL claims that Manchester United are also interested in the former Fluminense youngster.
However, the same report adds that Liverpool have made Pedro a priority signing for next season and intend to begin the negotiation process in January.
Initial talks between both parties are said to have already taken place, although they are 'merely exploratory' at this early stage.
Liverpool are said to be keen to speed up negotiations in a bid to move ahead of their rivals, while Brighton have been described as one of the most 'complicated' English clubs in the transfer market.
It is thought that Pedro's ability to operate as a number nine and drop into deeper positions to help with the attacking build-up appeals to Reds boss Arne Slot.
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Do Liverpool need to sign Joao Pedro?
Liverpool already have a wealth of attacking options, with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa all battling for starts under Slot.
However, while Chiesa has struggled with fitness issues since arriving last summer, speculation over the future of Egyptian star Salah remains rife, with his current contract due to expire in June 2025.
The 32-year-old has reportedly received his first contract offer from Liverpool's hierarchy, although an agreement is not close or sealed just yet.
Brighton's Pedro would not be viewed as a like-for-like replacement for Salah if he were to leave Anfield next summer; the Brazilian would more likely provide competition for Nunez, Jota and Gakpo in the centre-forward position.
Oliver Thomas
