Manchester City were so keen to sign Chelsea star Pedro Neto when he was a teenager that they sent a private plane to then-employers Braga in an attempt to persuade him to embark on a fresh challenge at the Etihad Stadium, former coach Rui Santos has exclusively revealed to GIVEMESPORT.
The Portugal international headed to Stamford Bridge in August, when he completed a £54million switch from Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, but he had the opportunity to take his career in an entirely different direction when Sky Blues boss Pep Guardiola came calling for his signature.
Neto, who is on a contract which allows him to pocket £160,000-per-week at Chelsea, was coming through Braga's ranks when Santos was in charge of the Primeira Liga side's academy and his promise resulted in him moving firmly into Manchester City's sights as they went in search of securing the world's best up-and-coming talent.
Guardiola Was Eager to Recruit Teenage Neto
Portugal international on radar when coming through Braga ranks
Pedro Neto celebrating after scoring for Chelsea
Manchester City were alerted to Neto's potential when he was still trying to make the grade at Braga, leading to them upping the ante and looking to show him around their facilities in an attempt to convince him that he should push to continue his development at the Etihad Stadium.
The 25-year-old has gone on to build his Premier League experience at Wolves and Chelsea instead of in a Sky Blues shirt, having also featured for Serie A side Lazio, but Santos has confirmed that Guardiola was eager to win the race for an agreement during the early stages of his trophy-laden spell in the hot-seat.
"When Pedro Neto played for the under-17 side at Braga, Manchester City had a great interest in him," he told GMS in an exclusive interview. "They even sent a private plane to take him to the club and show him around. He is now performing at a high level at Chelsea and has a magical quality to his game.
"For me, he is best suited to play on the right wing, where he can use his speed and skill to cut inside and create goalscoring opportunities. Pedro is capable of leading the line, but I don’t think this is the best strategy. He has quick decision-making and speed of execution. He is good one-on-one, but he is less strong when keeping the ball as a striker or playing with his back to the goal."
Pedro Neto's statistics for Chelsea this season
Neto also contemplated following in his father's footsteps by choosing a different sport instead of football when he was a youngster, while Santos insists that he will thrive when facing additional competition from summer arrival Estevao Willian and Geovany Quenda, who is due to head to Chelsea from Sporting next year, for a regular starting berth.
"When a player has strong competition, he improves a lot," added the 48-year-old. "For example, if you drive a Formula One car, look in your rearview mirror and don’t see anybody, you relax. But as soon as you see someone, you increase your concentration, focus and intensity."
"As a kid, Pedro liked to play hockey. His father was a professional roller hockey player."
Nunes Showed Determination at a Young Age
Sky Blues man worked with Santos in youth ranks at Estoril
Manchester City midfielder Matheus Nunes applauding the supporters
Although Neto opted against heading to Manchester City when he was handed the opportunity, Matheus Nunes is currently at the Etihad Stadium and worked with Santos at Estoril when he was trying to make the grade before moving onto Portuguese heavyweights Sporting and then Wolves.
The Rio de Janeiro-born Portugal international joined the Sky Blues in a £53million deal in September 2023 and, having initially struggled to work his way into the forefront of Guardiola's plans in his preferred midfield position, has gone on to become a prominent figure in an unlikely full-back role this season.
Santos - who has held behind the scenes roles at the likes of Sporting, Deportivo La Coruna and Nantes as well as Estoril and Braga - is not surprised by the endeavour shown by Nunes to prove his doubters wrong as he saw his determination at close quarters when coming through the ranks.
"In my first match as coach of the Estoril under-23 side, I substituted Matheus at half-time," he admitted. "He understood my decision and worked even harder in training. His main attributes are his ball-carrying ability and breaking lines."
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Another Premier League star that Santos has worked with is Rodrigo Gomes, who is currently at Wolves, and he has refused to rule out the possibility of the 21-year-old breaking into Portugal's international squad ahead of heading to the United States, Canada and Mexico for the 2026 World Cup.
"Rodrigo has very similar characteristics to Pedro Neto," he added. "He is a young player, but with excellent skills and execution. He has a knack for scoring goals. He has a more introverted personality compared to Pedro, who is more playful. But he has settled in well at Wolves. He has a top work ethic and is resilient on and off the pitch.
"I believe he can play at the next World Cup. He has won caps for the Portugal under-21 side and now has lots of Premier League experience. There is still another season for him to get more minutes."
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 02/05/2025
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