Frontrunners: “Assist King” Has Now Made It Clear He Wants to Join Arsenal After Agent Talks This Week
A forward known for his playmaking ability has expressed a strong desire to join Arsenal, following recent discussions between the club and his agents.
One of the top priorities for sporting director Edu Gaspar this summer is to secure a new winger, potentially as an alternative to Bukayo Saka.
Last season, Saka was undeniably manager Mikel Arteta’s key player. The England winger delivered an impressive 20 goals and 14 assists in all competitions during the 2023/2024 season, playing a significant role in Arsenal’s near-miss for the Premier League title.
However, the 22-year-old featured in 47 matches, with limited rest, prompting Edu and Arteta to search for a quality backup or a competitor to ensure Saka remains sharp.
Arsenal are considering Lille winger Edon Zhegrova as a potential alternative to Saka. Reports suggest Zhegrova could be acquired for around £17 million from Ligue 1. However, he is just one of several targets, with Edu also eyeing notable options from within the Premier League.
Among these options is Wolves winger Pedro Neto, who has attracted attention from several Premier League clubs.
The 24-year-old has contributed 14 goals and 24 assists in 135 appearances for Wolves since joining from SC Braga and has been speculated to be leaving for the past two years.
Arsenal’s interest in Neto dates back to 2022, when they held talks but failed to secure a deal. Now, the club is considered one of the leading contenders to sign him this summer.
| Arsenal’s best performers in the Premier League last season | |
|---|---|
| Player | Average match rating |
| Bukayo Saka | 7.67 |
| Declan Rice | 7.38 |
| Martin Odegaard | 7.37 |
| Kai Havertz | 7.16 |
| Gabriel Magalhaes | 6.99 |
| WhoScored | |
“I think that Arsenal and Spurs are more likely destinations for Neto, at this point,” said reporter Ben Jacobs to GiveMeSport earlier this year.
“We know the Tottenham interest is historical, and I would expect Arsenal to consider Neto this summer as one of a few targets in that position.
“But both of the north London clubs will also be well aware that Wolves – because he is still well contracted – will be looking for a club-record sale.
“They will be very firm on price. You can understand why, in an inflated market, where many attackers and midfielders have gone for in excess of £70million.”
Pedro Neto Wants to Join Arsenal After Talks With Agents
This week, TEAMtalk shared an encouraging update regarding Arsenal’s interest in the Portuguese international winger.
Their sources indicate that Neto has expressed a strong desire to joining Arsenal, with discussions taking place between his agents and the club.
While Chelsea are also in the race for his signature, Arsenal have now taken the lead, positioning themselves as the frontrunners.
Last season, the winger contributed 11 assists and scored three goals across all competitions, supporting Daniel Bentley’s assessment of Neto as an “assist king.” However, Arsenal may need to consider his injury history as a potential concern.
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