Arsenal have been urged to join Manchester City in the race to sign Chelsea winger Pedro Neto after missing out on a deal for Vinicius Junior.
The Gunners had explored a blockbuster move for the Real Madrid star as they looked to strengthen the left side of Mikel Arteta's attack ahead of the new Premier League season. Arsenal were ready to make the Brazilian the highest-paid player in Premier League history, but Vinicius has now opted to remain in the Spanish capital and sign a new contract with Madrid.
Still keen to sign a new left winger, Arsenal will now head back into the market to assess potential alternatives to the Brazilian superstar. Reports suggest that Arsenal are considering reigniting their interest in Bradley Barcola, although Liverpool also hold a strong interest in the Paris Saint-Germain winger.
Aliadiere backs Neto as cheaper alternative
But former Gunners striker Jeremie Aliadiere has urged the club to look at cheaper alternatives and namechecked Chelsea winger Neto as a ready-made option.
'I just think: Yes, we're champions, yes, we've made a lot of money. But at some point, you've got to balance the books as well,' Aliadiere told Metro via Football Betting. 'When you think about the money that Arsenal already spent after Guimaraes' arrival, what we've spent last year, plus we've only had Trossard leaving for money.
'Only the club will know financially where they are, but will they be able to go and spend 150 million on a new winger, or is it maybe financially more reasonable to go for a lower option?'
Aliadiere continued: 'Pedro Neto could be a great option. He's played in the Premier League for many years, is established, knows the league, a very, very good player. And don't forget, we've already signed a left winger with Christos Tzolis. He's a left winger, so you're just adding top talent. We've spent 40million. You can't just spend 40 million and then just stick him on the bench and never play him. So I think you've got to keep every option open and see what is best financially for the club.'
Neto's Chelsea record and potential price
Neto has scored 19 goals in 103 appearances in all competitions since signing for Chelsea from Wolves in August 2024. The Portugal international has attracted interest from City already this summer, with Enzo Maresca keen to be reunited with the winger after their time working together at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are reportedly not looking to sell Neto, but it is claimed that a bid of around £70m could be enough to convince the Blues to let go of the 26-year-old. The Blues have already brought in Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Danny Welbeck, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson this summer.
But with 41 senior players now on their books, Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has admitted that there will need to be outgoings to create a more balanced squad for the season ahead.
'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 recently said. '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.'
