Chelsea Close In on Joao Pedro in £60m Deal, Taking Brighton Spending to £263m

Chelsea are on the verge of signing Brighton forward Joao Pedro in a deal worth up to £60 million, further deepening their financial ties with the South Coast club.

According to Sky Sports on Monday, the 23-year-old Brazilian has agreed to a seven-year contract and is expected to travel from Brazil to the United States for a medical. He will link up with Enzo Maresca’s squad ahead of the Club World Cup, where Chelsea face Palmeiras in the quarter-finals this Friday in Philadelphia.

Pedro, who is seen as a dynamic forward capable of playing as a traditional No. 9 or anywhere across the attacking line, is the latest addition from Brighton—extending a three-year trend that has now cost Chelsea a staggering £263 million in total.

This figure includes:

Marc Cucurella (2022): £62 million

Robert Sánchez (2023): £25 million

Moisés Caicedo (2023): £115 million (with add-ons)

João Pedro (2025, projected): ~£30–35 million, with clauses potentially bringing the total to £60 million

The Blues’ business with Brighton began in earnest when they also poached manager Graham Potter in 2022, though his stint was short-lived.

Despite that managerial misfire, Chelsea’s working relationship with Brighton remains strong. Sources indicate Brighton will retain a sell-on clause as part of the Pedro deal.

If all goes as planned, Joao Pedro could make his Chelsea debut this weekend, with kickoff against Palmeiras scheduled for 2am UK time on Saturday.