Chelsea have reportedly set a £70million asking price for Pedro Neto, with Manchester City preparing an opening offer for the Portugal international this summer.
Neto emerged as one of City's primary attacking targets after recording five goals and six assists in Chelsea's difficult Premier League campaign last season. The 26-year-old joined the Blues for around £51million in 2024 and has won the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup with the west London club. This weekend, he was pictured boarding a flight to Hong Kong to join up with Xabi Alonso's squad for their pre-season clash with Juventus on Wednesday.
City and Milan lead the chase
According to The Sun, City are ready to test Chelsea's resolve with a significant opening bid. The report claims City head coach Enzo Maresca has been at the centre of the proposed move, having previously worked with Neto during his 18-month spell in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Milan are also in the picture, with Neto at the top of their shortlist of wingers as they prepare for the possible departure of Rafael Leao. A deal could be struck at around £70million before the transfer deadline.
Neto open to City move
Neto's agent, Jorge Mendes, has offered the winger to Al-Hilal, but the player has reservations about a move to the Saudi Pro League and wants to continue at the highest level. Though a regular starting spot may not be immediately guaranteed at City, the former Braga and Wolves star is said to be 'open' to the idea of leaving Chelsea for the Etihad.
Neto's current contract with Chelsea runs until June 2031.
Chelsea's summer spending
'I'm sure that from today to the last day of the transfer window there will be a lot of links, a lot of rumours, so to be commenting on all of them, it's going to be a hard task,' Alonso said of Chelsea's transfer dealings after the side's recent pre-season clash with Western Sydney Wanderers. 'But for sure, we need proper balance in terms of qualities, in terms of positions, in terms of balance. We want to have a complete squad and we want to make a good team.'
The potential sale of Neto would help Chelsea balance the books after their record-breaking £117million deal for Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers. The Blues have also brought in Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Danny Welbeck and Valentin Barco this summer, with Jordan Henderson expected to follow.
Reports in Spain indicate Chelsea have struck an agreement with Rayo Vallecano for Pep Chavarria, signed as a replacement for Marc Cucurella at left-back.
