Brighton & Hove Albion have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Watford forward Joao Pedro.
The Seagulls are currently in the mix for European qualification through the Premier League, sitting in eighth position in the standings but with at least two matches in hand on the teams above them.
Regardless of whether they achieve that target, 2022-23 will be regarded as one of the most progressive in the club's history having also reached the FA Cup semi-finals.
Nevertheless, the Brighton hierarchy face a summer of change with at least one of their stars likely to depart and the club emerging as a more attractive proposition for players around Europe.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Brighton board have already taken the first steps to strengthening their squad ahead of next season.
© Reuters
The South Coast outfit are said to have agreed a deal in principle to sign Pedro from Watford, who have missed out on a place in the Championship playoffs.
Pedro has remained as one of the Hornets' key players, contributing 11 goals and four assists from his 35 appearances in the second tier.
Nevertheless, both parties took a risk when they mutually agreed a new long-term contract in September, the expectation being that Watford would launch a stronger bid for an immediate return to the Premier League.
Preceding that fresh deal, Watford had rejected big-money bids from Newcastle United for the Brazilian, and the Magpies have since moved on from the 21-year-old.
© Reuters
However, while Romano has not designated a fee that will be paid by Brighton, numerous other reports have indicated that a deal will be in the region of £30m.
That will see Watford more than treble the £9m that they shelled out on Pedro when they signed him as a teenager from Fluminense in 2018.
The versatile attacker has since gone on to contribute 24 goals and nine assists from his 109 appearances in all competitions, 31 of which have come in the Premier League.
As it stands, it is unclear whether Pedro will remain available for selection for Watford's remaining two Championship fixtures of the season.
