Chelsea Signs Pedro Neto for €63m
- Chelsea has secured a deal to sign Pedro Neto from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a fee of €63m.
- Neto, a 24-year-old winger, has recently returned from hamstring injuries and was part of the Portuguese squad in the European Championship.
- He is expected to undergo a medical before officially joining the London club.
Chelsea Football Club has finalized a deal to acquire winger Pedro Neto from Wolverhampton Wanderers, enhancing their attacking options ahead of the new season. Neto, who recently returned to fitness and represented Portugal in the European Championship, played a significant role in the tournament, participating in all three group-stage matches. Since joining Wolves from Braga in 2019, he has made 135 appearances and was recognized as the club's player of the season. The move comes as Chelsea seeks to strengthen their squad under manager Enzo Maresca, particularly targeting a left-sided winger. While Chelsea initially pursued Euro 2024 standout Nico Williams, complications regarding his buyout clause and preference to remain in Spain led them to pivot towards Neto. The club is reportedly paying an initial fee of €60 million, which can be structured more favorably compared to Williams' €58 million clause. Despite concerns over Neto's injury history, having missed 102 matches over the past four seasons due to muscle issues, his proven Premier League experience and versatility across the attacking line are seen as valuable assets. At just 24 years old, he is expected to contribute significantly without the pressure of being a regular starter, thanks to the depth of Chelsea's squad. Chelsea's recent recruitment strategy reflects a shift towards younger talent, marking a departure from previous seasons of signing established players at their peak. The club's focus on youth development is evident in their summer signings, which include several promising players from various clubs.