Arsenal are said to hold a long-term interest in Pedro Neto and according to recent reports, the north Londoners have even made an enquiry.
“If they decide to stay in the Premier League, I think Pedro Neto could be one to look out for,” transfer insider Dean Jones revealed to GIVEMESPORT.
“There have been some enquiries made along that path and I think that’s one that might get talked about a little bit more in the next week or so.”
Indeed, the Gunners are thought to be keen admirers of the Portugal international and given their search for wide additions, it could be a wise decision from technical director Edu Gaspar and his recruitment staff to launch an offence in the coming weeks.
The Brazilian chief missed out on one of his key targets, Raphinha, earlier in the window as the former Leeds United dynamo opted for a dream transfer to FC Barcelona.
Other names that have been linked to the Emirates Stadium include PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo and Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby.
However, it is the Wolverhampton Wanderers star that makes the most sense but only if he can be lured from Molineux before September 1st.
Similar to Saka
According to FBref, the 23-year-old is most comparable to current Gunners sensation Bukayo Saka in terms of statistical profile and that has to be encouraging news indeed.
The Wolves gem is someone who likes to get on the ball and influence the game in the final third, as summed up by his 8.58 progressive carries per 90 and 6.15 touches in the opposition box per 90, which sees him rank within the top 12% of his positional peers across Europe.
Saka is very similar in this regard, having averaged 7.92 progressive carries per 90, which ranks in the top 15% of wingers, and 7.01 touches in the opposition’s penalty area, which is better than Neto as he ranks inside the top 5%, also via FBref.
The pair also like to get a shot off, meaning they regularly create a goal threat for their respective teams, with Neto averaging 3.24 shots per 90 and Saka managing 2.87 shots per 90.
It’s clear that both players are very similar in terms of playing style and that would make Neto a fantastic fit for manager Mikel Arteta and his playing style, given just how big of an influence the England international has been.
Last season, no one contributed to more goals than Saka (11 goals, seven assists) as he led the team for shots per game (2.6) and ranked second for creating key passes (1.8 per game), as per WhoScored.
Neto has suffered from injuries in recent times, the latest being a serious knee problem that saw him miss the majority of last season as he was restricted to 463 minutes of Premier League action.
But the winger, who has been lauded as a “superstar” by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher and a “very special talent” by his colleague Jamie Redknapp, is evidently a proven threat in the big time and one that would need little time to settle in heading into a hectic fixture list.
His presence on the left would also allow Saka to be deployed in arguably his best position on the right flank. A front three of Neto, Saka and Gabriel Jesus is a mouthwatering prospect.
Edu must do whatever he can to secure the £18m-rated dynamo before the end of the summer transfer window.
AND in other news, Enquiry made: Arsenal eyeing swoop for £50m “huge talent”, he’s clear of Pepe…