OFFICIAL: Chelsea complete Pedro Neto transfer

Tom Weber

Updated: 11 Aug 2024 16:46 BST
3 min read

Chelsea have officially completed the signing of Pedro Neto from Wolves.

Article continues under the video

The Blues have paid a whopping €60 million upfront with a potential €3m in add-ons for the 24-year-old, who has penned a contract in west London until 2031.

However, the Portuguese winger has arrived at Stamford Bridge in something of a shock deal. Chelsea had worked on the transfer in almost total secrecy, sealing an agreement with Wolves for Neto seemingly mere minutes after news of the talks initially leaked.

Chelsea have signed Neto to bolster their wide options despite already boasting several big-name stars on both flanks. The Blues believe that the former Wolves attacker can feature on the left and the right, which made him an attractive signing, despite the fact that he is left-footed and they had initially targeted a right-footer.

Upon confirmation of his move to Stamford Bridge, Neto said: "I feel really grateful to have joined this club. I have worked really hard in my career to be here and I’m looking forward to getting on the pitch with this shirt."

Chelsea take a risk

By signing Neto for €60m, Chelsea have taken a bit of a risk. Though the Portuguese is coming off an impressive season in which he notched 11 assists and three goals, he does have well-known fitness issues.

Neto repeatedly struggled with hamstring problems last season, which is of course an issue Chelsea know all too well, with captain Reece James facing the same battle last term.

READ MORE: Latest Chelsea transfer news

The winger had no shortage of suitors this summer, but his fitness is perhaps the reason why Chelsea were the only side prepared to actually formalise their interest despite links with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and Tottenham.

The Blues previously showed their willingness to gamble on a big-money star's fitness when they signed Wesley Fofana from Leicester for €80m despite his history of knee problems. That bet has yet to pay off and Chelsea fans will surely hope that Neto will be a totally different story.