David Ornstein has revealed why Arsenal did not try and sign Pedro Neto from Wolves on transfer deadline day.
The Gunners’ focus on Thursday was on a new central midfielder, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t want a winger. After loaning out Nicolas Pepe, Arsenal needed a new wide player, and Neto was Mikel Arteta’s top target. However, a deal did not materialise.
David Ornstein shares why Arsenal didn’t sign Pedro Neto on deadline day
Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for Neto in the last week of the transfer window. They felt the Wolves man would’ve been the perfect replacement for Pepe, but a move wasn’t feasible in the end.
Ornstein has revealed that Wolves’ ‘huge asking price’, combined with the fact that they didn’t want to sell him, was the reason why Arsenal didn’t make a move for Neto in the end.
The journalist said on the Five Insider Show, as quoted by TBR Football: “(Douglas) Luiz became the focus of Arsenal’s attentions on deadline day.
“I’m not sure he was previously, because initially, Arsenal were looking to bring in a wide attacker after sanctioning Nicolas Pepe’s loan move to Nice. That left them one winger down and their top target was Pedro Neto of Wolves.
“But it was always going to be really tricky as Wolves never had any intention or desire to sell him. And, if they were going to, the asking price was going to be huge.”
The Insider’s View:
Arsenal are short of options in central midfield and out wide at the moment.
Mikel Arteta revealed today that Elneny will be out for months, while Partey’s injury could sideline him for a few weeks. (Arsenal.com) That leaves us with just Granit Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga in central midfield.
Out wide, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are Arteta’s first-choice starters. The only other natural wingers in our squad are Reiss Nelson and young Marquinhos, both of whom are extremely inexperienced.
Neto would’ve been a fantastic signing for us, but we’ll have to wait at least until January to make a move for him.
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