Neto's Saudi switch leaves City and Arsenal chasing shadows
Pedro Neto, it appears, will not be gracing the Premier League next season. The Chelsea winger has reportedly agreed personal terms with Al Hilal, ending the hopes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham in one fell swoop.
The 26-year-old has been the subject of considerable transfer chatter this summer, with the Blues open to offers after a two-year spell at Stamford Bridge that brought more than 100 appearances. City's new boss Enzo Maresca was said to be particularly keen on a reunion with a player he knows well from his time at Chelsea, but it seems the Portuguese international has other ideas.
Sky Switzerland report that Neto is set to link up with his Portugal teammates Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo at the Saudi Pro League outfit. Al Hilal are reportedly prepared to pay around €60m (£51m) to secure his signature, a figure that would see Chelsea recoup close to what they shelled out for him in 2024.
That £54m fee to Wolves now looks like decent business, even if the Blues initially wanted £70m for Neto this summer. They have since softened that stance, and a £50m-plus return would at least balance the books as they look to offset the £117m spent on Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa. Rogers, for what it's worth, scored his first Chelsea goal in Saturday's 3-1 friendly win over Real Sociedad.
That game was not without its own drama. Enzo Fernandez, a target for Real Madrid and City, was booed by a section of Chelsea fans after coming off the bench. A curious way to treat a player who may yet be part of their plans.
For Arsenal, the Neto chase was born of necessity. Their failure to lure Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid, combined with Leandro Trossard's departure and Gabriel Martinelli's expected exit, has left them short in wide areas. Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly an admirer of Neto, but the Italian's interest is now moot.
Tottenham, heavily linked with Neto when he joined Chelsea two years ago, have also missed out. Again.
City, meanwhile, move on. Maresca's squad has other options, and the summer is still young. But for a player who might have added genuine width and directness to the attacking line, this one is a quiet miss.
Chelsea now turn their attention to the season ahead, starting at Fulham on August 24, before a Carabao Cup tie with Luton Town three days later. Neto, presumably, will be watching from afar.