9 months ago
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The summer's first bidding war may have just been given the green light.
The availability of Pedro Neto will have alerted many of the Premier League's top sides, with the Molineux outfit set to cash in on their star man at the end of the season, talkSPORT understands.
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Wolves must offload players if they are to grant manager Gary O'Neil his wish of adding a new striker and centre-back to his ranks over the summer, whilst still meeting FFP regulations.
The Black Country side are just about breaking even on the Premier League's strict Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), and Neto appears to be the most likely sale.
It is understood that Wolves will not stand in his way should a Champions League club make their move, with Arsenal and Spurs among many interested in the winger.
The Portugal international has been in fine form this campaign, registering two goals and eight assists, the third-highest in the league, despite missing two months through injury.
Injury has been a recurring theme in the 23-year-old's career so far, but his abilities have caught the eye of some of the game's biggest names.
In 2021, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola sung the praises of the fleet-footed attacker, commenting: "Neto is an incredible player."
Having splashed out a record £53million on Neto's former teammate Matheus Nunes, and with Guardiola a clear fan of the assist king, it may not be surprising if City produce the club-record £60m fee Wolves will demand to secure his services.
The champions will have to see off rival competition if they are to pull off the move, with long-term admirers Arsenal also believed to be in the market.
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An offer from the Gunners could certainly turn Neto's head, as he has previously admitted to supporting the north London team as a child.
Speaking to talkSPORT in January 2021, the forward said: "When I was a kid growing up watching English football my favourite team was Arsenal.
"Because with Arsene Wenger I thought besides winning trophies they played very good football."
A move to the Emirates outfit for the talent has been teased on more than one occasion.
Arsene Wenger first attempted to sign a teenage Neto from Braga in 2017, before he was linked with a last-minute switch to the capital in the summer of 2022 to replace departing winger Nicolas Pepe.
Joining the title challengers would surely be the realisation of a long-time dream for the hot property, with Arsenal potentially holding the upper hand over expected rival bidders Spurs if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
Liverpool will no doubt also be considering making a play for the former Lazio loanee, having previously been interested in 2021, and with talisman Mohamed Salah's future undecided.
Neto's pace and direct style of play would definitely suit the Reds' counter-attacking philosophy which they appear keen to maintain beyond Jurgen Klopp's exit at the end of the season.
With former fan favourite Xabi Alonso tipped to take the reigns at Anfield, some fresh firepower up front could be crucial for a new manager looking to make their mark.
The signing would also go down well with club legend Jamie Carragher, who described the Portuguese as a 'superstar' on Sky Sports last year.
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The former defender turned pundit has pushed for this move for quite some time, having urged Neto's former captain Conor Coady to put in a good word on Liverpool's behalf back in 2021.
Speaking on The Greatest Game podcast, Carragher joked with Coady: "Have you spoken to him about how good Liverpool is?"
One thing that is for certain is that Wolves will not be short of offers in the summer for a player Coady then said was 'in the same category as Phil Foden'.
