CHELSEA hijacked Newcastle’s move for Joao Pedro and wrapped up a £55million deal for the Brighton forward.
And Blues are also closing on £55.5m Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens — taking their summer transfer blitz to £212m.
Joao Pedro is on the brink of joining Enzo Maresca’s BluesGetty
Seagulls star Pedro is jetting from Brazil to complete a medical in the States on Tuesday.
And Chelsea hope he could make his debut in the Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras in Philadelphia on Friday.
Newcastle had appeared favourites to seal Pedro’s signature but had a £50m bid for rejected last week.
Now Chelsea have pounced to ensure Enzo Maresca landed his top target on a monster seven-year-deal.
He will cost £50m up front with £5m in add-ons.
SunSport understands that the Brazil ace, 23, only wanted to play for Chelsea and Brighton have a good relationship with the Londoners.
The Blues have now spent £257MILLION on Brighton players since Todd Boehly took over at Stamford Bridge three years ago.
Chelsea only decided to move for Pedro in mid-June, valuing his versatility, and intensified talks in the last 48 hours.
Chelsea’s £257MILLION Brighton raid
JOAO PEDRO will be Chelsea’s FOURTH major signing from Brighton since Todd Boehly took over in 2022.
1) Marc Cucurella – £62million
2) Robert Sanchez – £25million
3) Moises Caicedo – £115million
4) Joao Pedro – £55million
TOTAL SPEND – £257MILLION
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He will be the latest attacker to arrive at Stamford Bridge during this window with Chelsea on the verge of signing English winger Gittens from Dortmund.
The 20-year-old will not be allowed to play for Chelsea at the Club World Cup after already appearing in Dortmund’s first group game against Fluminense.
But Pedro is permitted with clubs allowed to register players between June 27 and July 3.
Striker Liam Delap also joined from Ipswich Town for £30m, leaving the future of No.9 Nicolas Jackson up in the air.
Pedro joins after delivering 30 goals and 10 assists in 70 matches over a two-year spell at Brighton following a then-club record £30m move from Watford in 2023.
The Hornets will be due 20 per cent of the profit Brighton made on the deal — expected to be £6m.
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Pedro has just finished his best-ever Prem campaign, albeit marred by two controversies in the closing weeks.
Pedro saw red against Brentford for flicking his hand into defender Nathan Collins‘ face on April 19.
And the following month the Seagulls revealed he was axed from their squad to face Spurs due to a training ground incident.
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