Arsenal might put an end to a two-year transfer saga with a reported £13 million deal reached.
Arsenal’s interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ winger Pedro Neto has intensified following news of Braga’s Rodrigo Gomes moving to Molineux for £12.7 million.
The highly-rated 20-year-old winger is expected to undergo a medical with Wolves later this week and sign a long-term contract, keeping him at the club until 2029. Gomes scored seven goals in 30 league games while on loan at Estoril Praia during the 2023/24 season.
Despite Atletico Madrid’s interest in Gomes, Wolves have reportedly secured his signature, according to the BBC. This development could impact Neto’s future at Wolves and potentially lead Arsenal to pursue him, as reported by Football London. Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar has long been interested in Neto.
Neto, despite being sidelined for 19 games this season due to hamstring injuries, provided 11 assists in 24 games, showcasing his productivity when fit. However, his consistent injury issues, including a 127-day absence due to an ankle injury in the 2022/23 season and a nearly year-long knee injury in 2021, might deter Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. Neto is under contract with Wolves until 2027, and given their £18 million investment in him from Lazio in 2019, he won’t come cheap.
Arsenal’s Arteta and Edu are preparing for a busy summer transfer window. They are rumored to be interested in several top-tier players, including Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko, who scored 18 goals in 42 games for RB Leipzig last season, though they face competition from Chelsea. Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz is another target, but prying him away from Villa Park could be challenging. If unsuccessful, Arsenal might turn their attention to Bruno Guimaraes or Amadou Onana to strengthen their midfield as they aim to improve on last season’s performance after losing the Premier League title to Manchester City.