Newcastle United’s search for attacking reinforcements this summer continues to falter following a rejected offer for Watford ’s Joao Pedro, with the Hornets turning down a first proposal of £20million for the Brazilian forward.
The Magpies were told by the Championship outfit that their initial offer of £20m plus £3m in add-ons did not meet their valuation, before making it clear that Pedro is not for sale under any circumstances this summer.
However, Eddie Howe’s side are now said to be weighing up another formal bid for the Brazilian star as they refuse to back down easily, while it has also been reported that an offer has been prepared for Benfica starlet Goncalo Ramos.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Watford desperately want to keep hold of Pedro beyond this summer as they target an instant return to the top flight, but Newcastle are already preparing an improved offer for the 20-year-old regardless.
Pedro arrived at Vicarage Road ahead of the 2019-20 campaign after netting 10 goals in 37 appearances for Brazilian outfit Fluminese, before grabbing nine goals and three assists for the Hornets as they earned promotion back to the Premier League the following campaign.
He netted just three times last season, with one of those strikes coming in a 1-1 draw against Newcastle at St. James’ Park, as Watford went straight back down to the second tier at the first time of asking. He has since scored the winner in the 1-0 win over Sheffield United in Watford’s opening game of the current campaign.
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Watford are desperate to keep hold of one of their most prized assets and are keen to hold off Newcastle's advances amid the hope that Pedro can rediscover his best form in the Championship.
It is set to be yet another setback for the Magpies in their pursuit of striking reinforcements this summer, with just Callum Wilson and Chris Wood amongst their ranks as things stand.
However, Newcastle are keeping their options open and even if they fail to land the Watford ace, then they may have more luck in acquiring Benfica star Ramos, who they are said to already be preparing a £33m bid for ahead the transfer deadline.
That’s according to Portuguese publication O’Jogo, who state that the Magpies have identified the 21-year-old as a young and promising forward who can learn from the likes of Wilson and grow with the football club, having already made an impression after netting for Benfica in a 3-2 friendly defeat of Howe’s side last month.
Ramos looks set to fill the void left by Darwin Nunez at Benfica though, following the striker's big-money transfer to Liverpool this summer. Ramos racked up eight goals and four assists last season and has already made a lightning start to the current campaign after just four matches that included a hat-trick in a Champions League qualifier against FC Midtjylland.
However, even if a fee can be reached between the two clubs, Benfica may delay the transfer until after their Champions League qualifier against Dynamo Kiev, with both legs taking place over the next week.
