Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images
Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images
So far, Chelsea have offloaded five players. Four permanently, one on loan with an easily-reached conditional obligation. Plenty more are expected, and Pedro Neto could be one casualty.
Chelsea have already spent around £300m on eight new signings, including Danny Welbeck and four pre-arranged deals for Denner, Dastan Satpayev, Geovany Quenda and Emmanuel Emegha. Sales are needed.
Without the prize of European cash, Chelsea have to raise funds differently, and that is through player sales. Especially without European football, Chelsea do not need such a massive squad under Alonso.
With Marc Cucurella, Jimmy-Jay Morgan, Andrey Santos and Tyrique George sold, and then a further £43m coming next season for Alejandro Garnacho, Chelsea have already raked in north of £160m.
Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah look set for moves to Italy, while Filip Jorgensen is due to leave soon. Now another could depart; this time it is a key player – but it will be an offer Chelsea cannot refuse.
Chelsea have to accept the Pedro Neto offer from Man City
According to The Sun, Chelsea are about to receive a massive £70m cheque for Pedro Neto. Doing a deal with City, in the midst of the Enzo Maresca drama and compensation fee, might be something to avoid.
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But Chelsea fans have grown frustrated with Neto in recent months. If an offer of £70m was tabled for the winger, no matter who from, Blues fans would be desperate for their club to accept it before the deadline.
With Chelsea needing to sell players if they are going to bring in any more signings, offloading a player struggling for form with a huge £70m fee as the prize is an offer Chelsea simply cannot opt to turn down.
Chelsea spent £55m to sign Neto from Wolves. Not only would Chelsea make a £15m profit on their initial outlay, but they would also make a whopping £37m profit in the eyes of Financial Fair Play.
Pedro Neto of Chelsea challenges Rayan Cherki
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Mykhailo Mudryk return could green light Neto exit
Chelsea already have an abundance of wingers. Estevao looks set to start on the right in Alonso’s new-look side, with Morgan Rogers on the left, Cole Palmer in the middle and Joao Pedro as starting striker.
The Blues also boast Quenda, Satpayev and a much-improved Jamie Gittens, who has been flying in pre-season and got an assist for Estevao against Spurs. Now, Mykhailo Mudryk is back after his suspension.
The Ukraine star might go on loan; he might need a few months to get back up to speed. But Mudryk is back, as if he were a new signing. Even if it takes him a year to have an impact at Chelsea again.
With Mudryk added to Chelsea’s list of wingers, the need for Neto reduces. Should City table a mammoth £70m offer, there is no reason for Chelsea to refuse it – even if it means doing business with Maresca.