Another Chelsea Raid on the Cards?
Enzo Maresca's summer shopping list appears to have a distinctly blue tint to it, with Pedro Neto the latest name linked with a move to the Etihad. Reports suggest City are preparing a bid for the £70million-rated winger, who previously played under Maresca at Stamford Bridge.
The Portuguese international has emerged as a target as Maresca looks to reshape his squad, with the Italian keen to bring in players familiar with his methods. City have already been linked with Chelsea duo Enzo Fernandez and Malo Gusto, and Neto now looks set to join that list.
According to The Sun, City are lining up a shock move for the 26-year-old, who is also a target for AC Milan. The Rossoneri have made Neto their primary option to replace Rafael Leao, but City could blow them out of the water with a substantial offer.
Maresca sees Neto as an ideal fit for the system he wants to implement, and club officials are exploring a potential deal. However, Chelsea have placed a £70m price tag on the winger and are under no pressure to sell, viewing him as a key member of their squad. That said, they accept that a significant bid could change their stance, particularly given the £117m they spent to bring Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa.
Neto's agent, Jorge Mendes, has offered his client to Al-Hilal, but the player himself is keen to remain in European football at a top club, which could play into City's hands.
Maresca left Chelsea on New Year's Day following a turbulent end to 2025, during which he was accused of holding talks with both City and Juventus. He previously served as assistant manager at the Etihad and made no secret of his desire to succeed Pep Guardiola, a goal he achieved on June 29 when he signed a three-year contract with City.
That appointment cost City £17million in compensation, with Maresca also agreeing a personal settlement with Chelsea and apologising for the manner of his departure.
Should the Neto deal materialise, it would add another chapter to what is already shaping up to be a busy summer of transfer activity at the Etihad, with several players reportedly at risk of being offloaded as Maresca puts his stamp on the squad.