Pedro Neto is one of the most exciting talents in the Premier League.
The Portuguese star has been on English soil since completing a move to Wolves from S.C. Braga during the summer of 2019 and has impressed fans with his pace and dribbling skills.
Neto produced 14 goals and 24 assists across 135 games for Wolves and his performances at the Midlands club earned him a £54m move to Chelsea last summer.
The 24-year-old has been a key player for the Blues, now more than ever, as Enzo Maresca has had several injuries in his forward line with both Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu out of action.
Christopher Nkunku has been struggling to perform in the role of an out-and-out striker at Stamford Bridge, which has allowed Neto to step up with two goals and two assists during Chelsea’s last four Premier League games.
Things could have been different though for the Portuguese star last summer as Liverpool had a strong interest in the winger.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Liverpool wanted Pedro Neto to replace Mohamed Salah
Liverpool have been linked to Neto for a long time as the Merseyside club are big admirers of the Portuguese winger.
Saudi Arabia have been trying to sign Mohamed Salah for the last two summers and had the Egyptian superstar decided to leave Anfield ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, The Telegraph reports that Neto was an option for the Reds as a replacement.
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The report states that Tottenham also tracked Neto last summer and it was only after Chelsea had agreed a deal to sign him that it was communicated to Wolves staff that the player had been high on Liverpool’s list of potential signings.
Fortunately for the West London club, the timing of the transfer simply did not work in Liverpool’s favour and the Blues completed the transfer.
The 24-year-old would have been an exciting addition to Arne Slot’s squad but things worked out for the Dutch coach as Salah has been in the form of his life this season for the Reds.
Pedro Neto joining Chelsea was a good thing for Liverpool
The signing of Neto would have been a risk for Liverpool as the Portuguese star has yet to produce high numbers in the Premier League compared to Salah.
The 24-year-old also has a very poor injury record and after spending huge money on a transfer, that is the last thing the Merseyside club would have needed.
Neto missed 112 games during his time at Wolves for both club and country, which is the total opposite of what Liverpool get with Salah.
Player Games Goals Assists Minutes
Mohamed Salah 40 30 22 3396
Pedro Neto 31 5 7 1775
Mohamed Salah and Pedro Neto’s 2024/25 stats
The Chelsea star is undoubtedly a very talented player and is likely to go on and do greater things in the sport, however, missing out on the winger was a blessing in disguise from a Liverpool point of view.
As a result, Salah is firing the Reds towards a Premier League title and that has allowed the Premier League leaders more time to identify the Egyptian’s long-term successor as that player will have massive boots to fill.