Chelsea and Man City close to €80m Pedro Neto agreement
Discussions have opened the door for the Portuguese winger to reunite with Enzo Maresca at the Etihad.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca is pushing hard to sign Pedro Neto from Chelsea, with internal discussions at Stamford Bridge paving the way for a potential €80m (£68m) deal. Sources with knowledge of the situation confirm that City have made the winger a concrete target, though formal negotiations have not yet begun.
The Premier League champions see Neto as an ideal addition to their attacking line, especially with Savinho expected to leave this summer and Omar Marmoush’s future also uncertain. Maresca worked with the Portugal international during his time at Chelsea and retains a strong admiration for his ability to operate across the front three.
Liverpool have also expressed some interest in the 25-year-old, though their pursuit is less advanced. For now, City remain the frontrunners, with an initial enquiry anticipated in the coming weeks. Any move would depend on Chelsea’s willingness to sell to a direct rival, something they have done in recent windows with the departures of Andrey Santos to Manchester United and both Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz to Arsenal.
Why Chelsea could sell
The Blues have invested heavily this summer, most notably in the £117m capture of Morgan Rogers, meaning outgoings are necessary to balance the books. While Neto is not a player the club would ideally let go, there is an openness to negotiate if the price is right. One source indicated that the fee being discussed is in the region of €80m, a sum that would represent a significant profit on the £54m they paid Wolves for his services in 2024.
Neto has shown flashes of brilliance at Stamford Bridge but has struggled with consistency and minor injuries. His versatility and direct running style appeal to Maresca, who believes he can thrive in City’s fluid system. The deal is not yet at an advanced stage, but the groundwork has been laid for something to develop.
City are also monitoring Chelsea duo Enzo Fernandez and Malo Gusto, but it is highly unlikely they would sign all three. A decision on which target to prioritise will be made in the coming weeks. For now, Neto appears to be the most viable option given the circumstances surrounding both clubs.
With the summer window still open, this is a saga that could accelerate quickly. Chelsea’s stance is clear: they will entertain offers if the valuation is met, and Maresca is ready to push his board to make it happen. Whether City can strike another deal with their London rivals remains to be seen, but the path has been cleared for a potential agreement.