Wolves head coach Gary O’Neil has sent Arsenal a firm statement amid Mikel Arteta’s interest in the transfer of winger Pedro Neto to Emirates Stadium in the January sales.
The 23-year-old continued a superb season on Saturday to help O’Neil win 2-1 on the boss’ return to AFC Bournemouth. Neto fed Matheus Cunha to equalise in the 47th minute on the south coast. It was his sixth assist over nine Premier League appearances so far this season.
Neto has also scored once to convince Arteta to weigh up Arsenal targeting his transfer from Wolves in January. Football Transfers even reports that Arteta is leaning toward signing Neto over pursuing Brentford striker Ivan Toney. He feels the Gunners need to sign a winger more.
Mikel Arteta is leaning toward Arsenal targeting Pedro Neto’s transfer
Arteta is keen to lessen the burden on Bukayo Saka after seeing the 22-year-old suffer three injuries already this term. The Arsenal coach is also a long-term fan of Neto, having admired the Portuguese since before he suffered an ankle injury that demanded surgery last October.
The injury sidelined Neto until this March and thwarted his development under then-Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui. He only featured 18 times in the Premier League last term and offered an assist. Yet Arsenal now value Neto at £40m but Wolves want at least £70m for a transfer.
What has Gary O’Neil now said about Pedro Neto’s future at Molineux?
Football Transfers further notes that Wolves will reconsider their asking price for Neto come the January window, regardless of Arsenal. The Old Gold believe his performances this term merit an asking price far exceeding the club-record £47m received for Ruben Neves in June.
O’Neil has also now addressed how Neto is responding at Wolves to speculation linking him with a potential transfer away. He claims the five-cap winger is ‘incredibly happy’ at the Old Gold and is settled. The Wolves boss’ comments may also act as a firm warning to Arsenal.
“He’s incredibly happy at Wolves,” O’Neil told Sky Sports. “He’s enjoying his football, he’s rediscovered some fantastic form. He’d had a tough couple of years with injury and form, and he’s performing at his best.
“So, he’s incredibly settled, happy at the club and we’re going to try and help him achieve some big things while he’s here.”
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