Mandatory Credit: Photo by Venron Yuen/Nexpher via ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (17043648bt) Pedro Neto of Chelsea Football Club during open training at Kai Tan Stadium during the Hong Kong Football Festival 2026 in Hong Kong, August 4, 2026. HONGKONG-SOCCER/FOOTBALL-FEST, Hong Kong - 04 Aug 2026
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Venron Yuen/Nexpher via ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (17043648bt) Pedro Neto of Chelsea Football Club during open training at Kai Tan Stadium during the Hong Kong Football Festival 2026 in Hong Kong, August 4, 2026. HONGKONG-SOCCER/FOOTBALL-FEST, Hong Kong - 04 Aug 2026
Manchester City have left the door open for Arsenal to make a move for Chelsea winger Pedro Neto.
The Portugal international is coveted by City’s new manager Enzo Maresca who has identified the Portugal international as the ideal replacement for Tottenham-bound Savinho.
Maresca and Neto worked effectively together during their time together at Stamford Bridge and Pep Guardiola’s successor is keen to be reunited with the former Wolves star at the Etihad Stadium.
Chelsea, for their part, according to Fabrizio Romano, are happy with the player and believe he could well play a big role under their new manager Xabi Alonso.
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If they were to sell the 26-year-old, however, it would take a substantial fee and they would be looking to make a significant profit on the £54million they paid Wolves two years ago.
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Currently, however, there is understood to be a ‘huge gap’ between what City are willing to pay and Chelsea’s valuation and it remains to be seen whether or not a compromise can be reached.
It is a similar scenario regarding the future of Enzo Fernandez, who has also been linked with a move to City, but Chelsea are refusing to budge from their £120m valuation and would prefer to keep their club captain.
HULL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13: Pedro Neto of Chelsea celebrates victory on the pitch with the match ball after scoring a hat trick during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Hull City and Chelsea at MKM Stadium on February 13, 2026 in Hull, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
HULL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13: Pedro Neto of Chelsea celebrates victory on the pitch with the match ball after scoring a hat trick during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Hull City and Chelsea at MKM Stadium on February 13, 2026 in Hull, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
As for Neto, City baulking at the asking price could present an opportunity for Arsenal who are in the market for a left winger and were interested in Neto when was on the verge of leaving Wolves.
The Gunners have already signed Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge this summer and although he has made an encouraging start to like with the Premier League champions with several eye-catching displays in pre-season, Mikel Arteta is keen to further bolster his attack.
Whether Arsenal, who have regularly bought from their London rivals over the course of the last few years, make a concrete offer for Neto remains to be seen, but their former Jeremie Aliadiere has urged the Gunners to look at cheaper options after missing out on Vinicius Junior.
‘I just think: Yes, we’re champions, yes, we’ve made a lot of money. But at some point, you’ve got to balance the books as well,’ Aliadiere told Metro via Football Betting.
RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jose Breton/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (16978655hs) Vinicius Junior of Brazil looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 05, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Brazil v Norway: Round of 16 - FIFA World Cup 2026, East Rutherford, United States - 05 Jul 2026
RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jose Breton/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (16978655hs) Vinicius Junior of Brazil looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 05, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Brazil v Norway: Round of 16 - FIFA World Cup 2026, East Rutherford, United States - 05 Jul 2026
‘When you think about the money that Arsenal already spent after Guimaraes’ arrival, what we’ve spent last year, plus we’ve only had Trossard leaving for money.
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‘Only the club will know financially where they are, but will they be able to go and spend 150 million on a new winger, or is it maybe financially more reasonable to go for a lower option?’
Aliadiere continued: ‘Pedro Neto could be a great option. He’s played in the Premier League for many years, is established, knows the league, a very, very good player.
‘And don’t forget, we’ve already signed a left winger with Christos Tzolis. He’s a left winger, so you’re just adding top talent.
‘We’ve spent 40million. ‘You can’t just spend 40 million and then just stick him on the bench and never play him. So I think you’ve got to keep every option open and see what is best financially for the club.’
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 9: Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal during the during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Borussia Dortmund at Emirates Stadium on August 9, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 9: Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal during the during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Borussia Dortmund at Emirates Stadium on August 9, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)