Why Arsenal-target Pedro Neto is one of Europe's most wanted players

Sam McGuire

• Updated: 13 Mar 2024 15:56 GMT
• 4 min read

Pedro Neto is a player in demand.

The Wolves winger has been linked with a move away from Molineux for quite some time now but injuries have hampered a big money transfer. However, if reports are to be believed, the top clubs across England are now ready to take the plunge and attempt to sign the 24-year-old.

As revealed by Football Transfers recently, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of the left-footed attacker and the Gunners have been keeping tabs on the Portugal international for quite some time. He's viewed by those at the Emirates as someone who can improve the attack and rival the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka for a place in the starting XI.

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Champions Manchester City are also keen on the fleet-footed flyer. Reports indicate Pep Guardiola has tasked Bernardo Silva with pitching the project at the Etihad to Neto in an attempt to lure him to the 2022/23 treble winners. City are making a big play for the creative menace.

It is also claimed that he is liked by Liverpool, Manchester United, Spurs and Newcastle United. The host of Premier League clubs haven't been put off by the £60 million pricetag slapped on him by Wolves.

Gary O'Neil knows his No7 possesses a rare profile and the club are going to attempt to eke out as much money as possible for a player under contract until 2027.

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His injury issues might impact their ability to get truly big money for him though. He's currently ruled out again with another hamstring issue. He had a spell on the sidelines from October to December earlier in the campaign with a hamstring problem. He will have to be carefully managed for the remainder of the season if Wolves are going to get as many minutes out of him as possible.

But why is there such a scramble for his services? After all, he has just two goals to his name this term in a little over 1,500 minutes.

Here's the thing though, on his day, Neto is unplayable. There's a reason the 24-year-old has nine assists to his name despite his relatively limited playing time.

In fact, only Ollie Watkins, Pascal Gross and Kieran Trippier (all 10) have more assists than the Wolves attacker. And the aforementioned trio have played a lot more football. Watkins is closing in on 2,500 minutes. Gross is on 2,200 minutes while Trippier is closing in on the same figure.

He is, at times, a one-man attack capable of carrying the ball through the phases to turn defence into attack. He's a real stress reliever and an outlet; something of a rarity in the modern game with so many attackers tasked with being goal threats rather than ball-carriers.

Once he gets going, he is difficult to stop. And for teams who often come up against deep defensive blocks, someone like Neto could be the real difference-maker.

Another thing to consider is the fact Neto has the knack for stepping up in the bigger games. This season, for example, he has a goal contribution in games against Spurs, Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester United.

He might not be a genuine goal threat but he is a final phase player who contributes. They might not be as valuable as 30-goal-per-season forwards but he's much more valuable than some people might realise. It is little wonder so many top teams are vying for his signature.