Arsenal want Neto but face major stumbling block

Arsenal have set their sights on Pedro Neto but fear that the Wolves winger could prove to be too expensive this summer.

Arsenal are keen to sign another winger to bolster Mikel Arteta’s attack and have shown interest in signing Neto, who supported the north London club as a youngster.

The imminent departure of record signing Nicolas Pepe, who is closing in on a loan move to French side Nice, will open up space in the squad for another wide attacker in Arteta’s squad.

Wolves have no intention of selling Neto in this transfer window, however, and are in a strong position when it comes to any negotiations. Neto signed a new long-term contract in March and is tied to the club until 2027.

The 22-year-old is represented by influential agent Jorge Mendes, who was involved in the deal that took playmaker Fabio Vieira from Porto to Arsenal earlier this summer.

Arsenal have already invested heavily in this summer transfer window, spending around £115 million on five new players, and have generated only around £20m through sales. 

A big-money move for Neto is therefore regarded as difficult to fund, although it remains to be seen whether Wolves decide now is the time to cash in on the Portugal international.

Wolves have also invested a considerable amount into their first-team squad this summer, spending a combined fee of around £90m on Matheus Nunes, Goncalo Guedes and Nathan Collins. They have sold Morgan Gibbs-White to Nottingham Forest, though, in a deal worth an initial £25m.

Neto has started three out of three league games for Wolves so far this season, having fully recovered from a serious knee injury that ruled him out for 10 months. 

He has made 76 appearances in the Premier League, scoring nine goals and registering 10 assists since he joined Wolves from Braga in 2019. Neto was voted the Wolves player of the season in 2020/21.