- 9 hours ago
‘Arsenal missed a trick!’ – Gunners legend jealous of Chelsea signing
Robin Bairner
- 17 Aug 2024 22:20 BST
- 2 min read
Pedro Neto would have been a brilliant signing for Arsenal and will shine at Chelsea, according to Gunners legend Paul Merson.
Arsenal had spent several months chasing the Portugal international winger, yet Mikel Arteta’s side were ultimately put off a move because of the wretched injury record of Neto plus Wolves’ asking price of the 24-year-old.
Neto has missed more than 100 club games because of injuries in three years yet that did not stop Chelsea splashing out €60 million on the winger.
READ MORE: It’s not all about Osimhen! Gyokeres’ incredible finish a timely reminder for Arsenal and Chelsea
Current ETV
Pedro Neto
F (C)
Chelsea
Pedro Neto
F (C)
Chelsea
ETV Range
€16.3M - €27.1M
Merson, though, believes that will be money well spent for the Blues – if they can keep him fit.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: "If Chelsea can keep him fit, I think it is an incredible signing," he said.
"If you can get Neto on the pitch, he is top draw. I think Arsenal missed a trick with him.
"If he goes to Arsenal he takes the workload of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
"Chelsea were very shrewd – they did it very quickly and very quietly. He’s a good signing."
READ MORE: Chelsea set to pay fee as Felix chase reaches final stretch
A move that will do Neto good
Neto should benefit at Chelsea, where there will not be such an onus on him to play every match because of the deep squad that is at Stamford Bridge.
Similarly, he would have taken on a similar role at Arsenal, where manager Mikel Arteta is still seeking additional depth in the wide areas.
Indeed, the Gunners have failed to make the progress they might have liked so far in the transfer window, with only Riccardo Calafiori arriving at the club as a major new signing.
A deal for Mikel Merino, however, seems close, with negotiations progressing steadily with the Real Sociedad midfielder.
Arteta, though, also wanted an additional winger at the start of the summer and was also interested in a centre-forward but has seemingly been priced out of a move for either Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP or Victor Osimhen of Napoli.
