CHELSEA have agreed terms with Brighton forward Joao Pedro over a monster seven-year deal.
The Brazilian, 23, is poised to sign for a fee beyond £50million – then jet straight out for the rest of the Club World Cup.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein says a medical has been set up ahead of the move being rubber-stamped.
It’s also claimed the three-cap star only had eyes for Chelsea – despite strong interest from above all Newcastle.
It means Pedro could go head-to-head with fellow newcomer Liam Delap for the main strike role at Stamford Bridge, although Nicolas Jackson will have something to say about that.
And it suggests Blues’ boss Enzo Maresca is far from finished when it comes to summer spending.
Apart from £30million Ipswich targetman Delap, Chelsea have also brought in Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr.
Brazilian whizkids Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez are also heading in.
And Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens is tipped to complete a £55m switch next week.
In the end, it could have been a simple duel for Pedro between Chelsea and Newcastle.
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Toon chief Eddie Howe wants more strength in depth up front for their venture into the Champions League.
And although the Magpies expect to keep main hitman Alexander Isak, Prem champs Liverpool and Arsenal are still reportedly hovering.
But Chelsea appear certain to confirm they’ve won the race for Pedro, two years after Brighton landed him from Watford.
He’s 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 the squad to face Spurs due to a training ground incident.
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