Arsenal and Manchester City are tracking Chelsea winger Pedro Neto ahead of the January transfer window, according to reports from CaughtOffside and Football365. The 26-year-old Portugal international could reportedly consider his options due to head coach Xabi Alonso utilising him in a deeper right wing-back role this season, with Chelsea valuing the player between €70 million (£60 million) and £100 million.
Tactical shift under Alonso and rival interest
Neto joined Chelsea from Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2024 for £54 million, signing a long-term seven-year contract. However, under Xabi Alonso's 3-4-2-1 system, Neto has often been deployed as a wing-back rather than his preferred advanced attacking role. Speaking on the tactical adjustment, Alonso said: "Wing-back, winger, you can call it whatever you want, but the main thing is the quality of the players, that they adjust and that we have balance." This positional change has reportedly alerted rival clubs, with Arsenal and Manchester City identifying Neto as a high-quality option to bolster their attacking depth. Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal are also believed to be monitoring his situation.
Valuation and transfer feasibility
A mid-season transfer remains highly complex. Chelsea hold a strong negotiating position given the player's contract runs until 2031, which is reflected in their reported £100 million valuation. While Arsenal and Manchester City have the financial power to test Chelsea's resolve, negotiating with a direct Premier League rival in January presents significant obstacles. Furthermore, Neto's history of muscular injuries at Wolves, where he missed significant periods across several campaigns, may cause interested parties to proceed with caution before committing to such an expensive package.
