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Pedro Neto could become the latest big name caught up in Chelsea’s summer shake-up, even after producing his best season at Stamford Bridge.
The Portugal winger was one of the few bright sparks in a miserable campaign for the Blues.
Chelsea's Pedro Neto celebrates after the match
He played 52 times in all competitions, started 43 matches and finished with 10 goals and 10 assists, with no other Chelsea player supplying more assists.
Those numbers mattered because Neto had arrived from Wolves with doubts over his injury record. Chelsea paid around £54 million for him in 2024 and handed him a contract until 2031, backing his pace and Premier League experience.
Two years on, he has made 103 appearances for the club and appears to have put his worst fitness problems behind him.
Neto also provided one of last season’s rare moments to remember. He scored his first senior hat-trick in a 4-0 FA Cup win at Hull, even finding the net directly from a corner.
Pedro Neto
Yet Chelsea’s tenth-place finish has forced another rethink.
Xabi Alonso is now rebuilding a squad that badly underachieved, with Morgan Rogers arriving in a £117 million deal. Geovany Quenda, Estêvão Willian and Jamie Gittens add further competition out wide, while Cole Palmer and João Pedro can also operate across the attack.
That leaves Chelsea with a decision to make.
Neto was productive, reliable and regularly available. But he is also one of the few attackers who could command a major fee while Alonso reshapes the side.
Xabi Alonso
The club were fined £10 million by the FA this week and handed a suspended two-window registration ban for historical agent-rule breaches.
That punishment does not force a sale, but smart trading remains important after another expensive summer.
Man City lining up 'shock' bid for Chelsea winger Pedro Neto
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The Sun now reports that Man City are preparing a 'shock bid' for Neto and believe Chelsea may be willing to talk at around £70 million.
New City boss Enzo Maresca knows the winger well from their time together in west London, and is said to be personally keen on bringing him to Eastlands.
He would be buying pace, versatility and a player already proven in English football. City have added Elliot Anderson and Jeremy Monga, but Savinho’s possible move to Tottenham could open another space on the flank.
AC Milan are also credited with interest, although any serious push may depend on Rafael Leão leaving San Siro.
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Neto’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has reportedly sounded out Saudi clubs, including Al-Hilal, but the player would prefer to remain at the highest level in Europe.
Chelsea are not actively trying to dump Neto, and £70 million would be a handsome return on a player who contributed heavily last season.
The door is not wide open, but it is no longer firmly shut either.
If Maresca wants his reunion, City will have to make Chelsea an offer big enough to turn a difficult decision into an easy one before the new Premier League season gets under way.
Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso