Transfer profile: Pedro Neto

Neto

By Jonny Bray

Mikel Arteta has already said that Arsenal will only go back into the transfer market this summer to sign players of the highest quality. 

It's been a productive window so far, with stars like Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko hitting the ground running. 

The latest name in a long list of players to have been linked with a move to The Emirates is Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Pedro Neto. 

The winger is Nicolas Pépé's replacement, with the Côte d'Ivoire winger reportedly on his way back to France after struggling to settle in North London. 

But what would Neto bring to this Arsenal side, and is he worth the massive £50 million price tag currently being touted around in the newspapers? 

What would he bring to Arsenal? 


Neto is still young at just 22, and he has the potential to become a top Premier League player. 

He is already a delight to watch, having proven his quality on the ball since joining Wolves from Braga back in 2019. 

He also has an impressive passing range and is strong on both feet. 

The Portuguese was Sky Sports' Man of the Match against the Gunners in November 2020 after scoring and setting up Daniel Podence. 

So, he has plenty of quality but also lots of time to improve and become the player that many people have predicted he will. 

Neto and Saka



Is he worth the money? 


The rumoured price tag has sparked a big debate around Neto's transfer to Arsenal. 

Some papers are reporting £50 million, while others are suggesting the real figure will be closer to £35 million plus add-ons. 

Neto may be worth that much to Wolves, but it would be wrong to think he is worth that much to Arsenal. 

The forward is 22-years-old, older than Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli. 

Yet statistically, he is well behind these two players. 

In 76 appearances for Wolves he has scored just nine goals and recorded ten assists. 

That's not great, especially considering the player he is rumoured to be replacing has scored 16 Premier League goals in 80 appearances. 

So, he is not clinical infront of goal, but that's not even Arsenal's biggest issue. 

He suffered a serious knee injury in the first half of the 1–0 away defeat against Fulham on in April 2021. 

He missed the rest of that season, and the majority of the 2021/22 campaign. 

So fans would have to be patient with him while he gets back to his best. 

That is reasonable, but unlikely considering his price tag. 

At £50 million, there are simply better options such as Crystal Palace's Michael Olise or even Watford's Ismaïla Sarr. 

Conclusion


Arsenal should not sign Neto. 

He is overpriced and far from a sure thing considering his injury record and lack of end product. 

The problem is with less than ten days of the transfer window remaining there is no telling which right sided forwards will be available. 

The Gunners definitely still need a few bodies through the door and Arteta is right to expect top quality, but Neto is not that. 

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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