EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal chase Wolves winger Neto to offer Saka support

Steve Kay

• Updated: 25 Apr 2023 07:52 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal are ready to move for Wolves winger Pedro Neto as they seek a player who can ease the workload of Bukayo Saka next season.

Neto was a top target for manager Mikel Arteta during the summer of 2022 and the Spaniard is ready to revisit his interest in the 23-year-old.

The transfer broke down last summer because of the huge fee that Wolves were demanding for a player whose contract expires in 2027. On top of that, they were also reticent to sell. As such, Arsenal did not make a move in the end.

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This season, however, a move away from Molineux is looking much more likely due to a number of different factors.

Among these is Neto's loss of form because of two major injuries that have kept him out for a combined total of 424 days over the last two seasons. In tur, this has led to him being unable to cement a place in the first team.

The problems have seen the winger’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) collapse from a peak of €33 million to just €17.6m. This will be reflected in the real world price that Wolves are set to demand for the former Lazio man, who has been flattered by the fact that Arsenal’s interest in him has not diminished during these difficult months.

Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui, meanwhile, is open to a deal because any money made from the future sale will go into his transfer kitty.

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Neto fits Arteta's Arsenal framework

Neto, meanwhile, would fit perfectly into Arsenal’s desire to bring in proven Premier League players and would offer valuable cover for Saka, who has played 42 times this season, missing only a single EFL Cup match. With Champions League football next season, the 21-year-old will need more respite.

Arteta has already signed players like Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jorginho and Leandro Trossard, all of whom have significant Premier League knowhow.

Furthermore, Arsenal are also interested in bolstering their midfield in the summer, with West Ham’s Declan Rice on their shortlist and Brighton’s Moises Caicedo their priority.