Chelsea finalizes £50m Joao Pedro deal from Brighton

Chelsea Football Club has reached a formal agreement to acquire Brazilian striker Joao Pedro from Brighton for a fee exceeding £50 million, with the player set to sign a seven-year contract. Joao Pedro, 23, has expressed a strong preference to join Chelsea despite interest from other major clubs including Newcastle, Liverpool, and Arsenal. Following medical examinations, he is expected to join Chelsea's squad in the United States for the Club World Cup. This transfer is part of Chelsea's broader attacking rebuild under manager Enzo Maresca, which has also included signings like Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens. The move is viewed as a replacement for striker Nicolas Jackson, whose future with the club is uncertain due to inconsistent performances. Chelsea has a recent history of signing players from Brighton, reinforcing their relationship with the club.