Pedro Neto showed the football world why exactly he is consistently linked with a big-money move with his short cameo for Portugal last night
The Wolves winger came off the bench and replaced Nuno Mendes in the 90th minute during his nation’s Euro 2024 opener with Czech Republic. With the game level, Neto entered the proceedings with the simple task of helping his side win.
Just one minute and 53 seconds later, he assisted fellow substitute Francisco Conceicao. After beating West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal, the 24-year-old ran into the box and the Porto forward did the rest.
After suffering an injury-hit season, Neto is once again a name on the lips of football fans. And unsurprisingly, Arsenal have been earmarked as a potential suitor to sign him from Wolves.
The Gunners, most would agree, need to strengthen their attacking options to take the weight off Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka’s shoulders. The pair have been Mikel Arteta’s first choice wingers for the past two seasons now with them missing just a combined eight Premier League games from a possible 76.
Leandro Trossard has proved to be a superb signing from Brighton at the start of 2023 but the options away from the Belgian have been underwhelming. Neto does have the attributes to strengthen the depth in Arteta’s team, but a move for the Portugal international does divide.
Take his assist for Portugal as an example. Clearly given the route to attack a tired Coufal, Neto checked on to his right foot on the left wing and drove inside. Time and time again in the past have Wolves benefited from rebounds off his shots, like Conceicao did, after he managed to jinx his way into the final third.
Earlier this season, prior to a hamstring injury in October, Neto had more assists than any other player in the Premier League. After creating four goals in three games in September, he recorded another three in consecutive games against Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Newcastle.
A tricky customer who does spark fear in defenders’ eyes, it’s no surprise that Arsenal have been linked with him in the past. However, his poor record with injuries means his availability does provide a risk.
According to transfermarkt.com, Neto has missed a whopping 108 games due to injuries for Wolves, nearly as many appearances he has made for the club (135). In his defence, his long-term injuries in 2021 and 2022 were knee and ankle problems but he sat out of 19 games last season due to hamstring injuries.
Arsenal will compete for the Premier League and UEFA Champions League next season, as well as holding hope of ending their four-year wait for domestic cup success. When fit, Neto would certainly improve their chances of competing. But should Edu Gaspar really cough up £60m for an injury-hit player?
The talent is there and he’s more than ready for a move away from Molineux. However, Arsenal are better off looking at alternatives for that reason alone.
