30 September 2023 , 21:30
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Arsenal retain an interest in Pedro Neto but his growing importance at Wolves will complicate any potential transfer deal this winter, although a deal could be revisited in the summer of 2024.
The Gunners are long-standing admirers of the 23-year-old, who has made a great impression on both Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu since arriving in the Premier League with Wolves back in 2019.
Neto - represented by super-agent Jorge Mendes - is a self-confessed Arsenal supporter and was the subject of a transfer enquiry that was immediately rebuffed by Molineux chiefs this summer. Arsenal have had Neto on their shortlist since the summer of 2022 but at the time, the move proved to be out of financial reach due to Wolves' hefty asking price.
Now Neto's stock is on the rise once again following his blistering start to the season under Gary O'Neil. Prior to this weekend's Premier League action, Neto has registered the joint-most assists in the top-flight (four) alongside Mohamed Salah and only Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka (19) has created more big chances (18) than the Portuguese starlet this term.
Neto committed his long-term future to Wolves back in March 2022 when he penned a lucrative new contract that is due to run until the summer of 2027. Recent injuries to Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have left Arsenal light on the ground in attack and with Gabriel Jesus yet to replicate the form he displayed prior to his knee injury at the World Cup last season - Arsenal could look to strengthen their forward line in January.
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Brentford striker Ivan Toney is another concrete target under consideration while the highly-regarded Neto has the quality to provide cover on either flank - a key factor behind Arsenal's interest. Intriguingly, Arsenal made a play to sign nifty dribbler Neto under Arsene Wenger back in 2017 during his time at Braga before he later completed a transfer to Lazio.
Now he appears to be indispensable at Wolves and already looks crucial to their prospects this season following a challenging start to the campaign. Neto bagged his first goal of the new season in the 1-1 draw at Luton last weekend after previously sparkling in the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool.
Boss O'Neil is delighted with Neto's contribution thus far since he replaced Julen Lopetegui in the Molineux hot-seat.
"He has been absolutely incredible for the six or seven weeks I have been here," O'Neil said. "I am really pleased with where Pedro is at. He has given absolutely everything and showed a big moment of quality [at Luton] which sums up how he has been for me for the last six weeks."