EVERTON are set to match Newcastle in the £30million bidding war for Watford’s Joao Pedro.
The 20-year-old Brazilian forward wants out of the Championship Hornets, with the club willing to cash in.
Megabucks Toon made a bid of £25m plus £5m in add-ons for the star.
And the Daily Mail report that the Toffees are now willing to match that offer.
The ace is said to prefer a move to St James’ Park, with the club’s fortunes on the rise since their Saudi takeover.
The Magpies even led champions City during a thrilling 3-3 weekend draw.
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But with Chelsea keen to land Everton’s star player Anthony Gordon for £60m, the Toffees are desperate to get a replacement in the door.
After last season’s relegation battle, boss Frank Lampard knows he cannot afford to lose Gordon and Richarlison in the same summer.
But Toon boss Eddie Howe is keen to add to his Brazilian contingent of Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
And Howe likes the fact Pedro can play both out wide and through the middle.
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And with the kind of finances behind Newcastle these days, any bidding war with Toon could be financially painful for Everton.
And that is the harsh truth now facing Lampard, who has already lost Richarlison and now been told by Anthony Gordon that he wants a switch to Chelsea.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
