Football
Joao Pedro completes £60m Chelsea move and could make debut vs Palmeiras
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Chelsea's FIFA Club World Cup bid has been boosted by the signing of Joao Pedro from Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Blues have reportedly agreed a fee worth £60 million with the Seagulls, and the forward has signed in time to play in their quarter-final clash with Palmeiras on Saturday.
Chelsea are believed to have beaten off competition from Newcastle to sign the 23-year-old, just days after agreeing a deal with Borussia Dortmund for Jamie Gittens. However, Gittens won't be free to compete at the Club World Cup, having already appeared for the German side.
Pedro signed for Brighton from Watford in 2023 and contributed 30 goals and 10 assists in 70 matches in his time with the South Coast club.
The Brazilian now hopes to make a similar impact for The Blues.
"Everyone knows this is a big club with a great history," he told the Chelsea website after completing the move . "They had brilliant players in the past and have brilliant players now.
"I am excited to join, and you know when you are a Chelsea player, you must think one thing — win."
Winning is the sole focus of everyone at Chelsea as they prepare to take on a Palmeiras side which topped Group A and is so far unbeaten in the tournament.
At stake is a lucrative semi-final showdown with the winner of the Fluminense vs Al Hilal tie and an opportunity to keep their Club World Cup dreams alive.
With the addition of Pedro, Nicolas Jackson returning from suspension, and Liam Delap in red-hot form, Enzo Maresca suddenly has several attacking options for what will surely be a tough test.
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