Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Since the start of the window, Pedro Neto has been strongly linked with the exit door at Chelsea. Most of the talk has been about Enzo Fernandez, but Neto’s future has been a major talking point, too.
With less than a fortnight to go in the transfer window, both players continue to dominate the headlines. Fernandez could still move to Man City despite Chelsea’s deadline being surpassed last Friday evening.
Pedro Neto of Chelsea
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Neto might join him at City. The Portugal winger is one of three players being targeted by Enzo Maresca at The Etihad, alongside Fernandez and right-back Malo Gusto. But a move elsewhere seems more likely.
Neto’s price continues to increase, too. At the start of the window and throughout the World Cup, the Blues were requesting £70m. This week, reports say Chelsea want an enormous £100m for the winger.
Indeed, it comes amid serious interest from Al Hilal, where Neto would join Portugal teammate Ruben Neves, legendary striker Karim Benzema and former West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville.
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Overnight update sees Neto saga draw ‘closer’ to a conclusion
Neto started against Real Sociedad on Saturday, but truthfully, he is no longer a key player. Xabi Alonso used a 3-4-2-1 system against the La Liga outfit, a system that used wing-backs, not attacking wingers.
Pedro Neto of Chelsea
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
That, maybe, has made Neto more expendable going into the final couple of weeks. Italian reporter Nicolo Schira posted an update on X during the night, confirming a move to Al Hilal is getting ‘closer’.
It looks as if Neto’s two-year stint at Chelsea is close to ending. Schira reported on X: “Pedro Neto is getting closer to Al Hilal from Chelsea. Ready is a huge salary for a long-term contract for the forward.”
Alonso to place his faith in younger wingers ahead of new season
Losing Neto is a blow. In terms of Chelsea’s options out wide, Neto is by far and away the most senior winger in the squad. But Chelsea now have many options, and Alonso might not even use wingers.
Estevao is ready to go, and Geovany Quenda is excellent back-up on the right. On the left, Jamie Gittens has had a superb pre-season, while Morgan Rogers was pitched the idea of starting on the left wing.
But against Sociedad, Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 used wing-backs instead of wingers and incorporated two 10s. It means Marco Palestra, Valentin Barco, Pep Chavarria, and Malo Gusto also come into the conversation.
If Alonso no longer needs wingers – proven by his 3-4-2-1 system – then Neto becomes a sellable asset, and that appears to be the case. It looks as if he will be the latest big name to move to the Middle East.