‘Really surprised’: Journalist says he’ll be stunned if Arsenal sign ‘sensational’ 22-year-old in January – deal getting closer
Football London journalist Kaya Kaynak has told The Highbury Squad that he would be very surprised if Arsenal signed Pedro Neto in January amid reports that the Gunners remain admirers of the Wolves star.
Neto has endured a really difficult time with injury. He spent much of last season sidelined. And unfortunately, he has not played for Wolves since the very start of October after sustaining an ankle problem.
Nevertheless, the Portuguese has been linked with a move away. The Athletic reported during the latter stages of the summer transfer window that Neto was Arsenal’s top forward target ahead of the deadline.
Pedro Neto unlikely to join Arsenal
Ultimately, no move would take place. But with the Gunners failing to sign another attacker, it appears that their interest in Neto has not gone away.
The Daily Express reported this month that Arsenal remain admirers of the 22-year-old. And it would certainly be no surprise if Mikel Arteta’s men did add another forward to their ranks next month.
However, Kaynak does not believe that it will be Neto who moves to the Emirates. The journalist was reluctant to rule it out altogether, but admitted that he cannot currently see it happening.
“I’d be really surprised if that happened in January just because he’s been dealing with a lot of injuries this season. He’s just come back from an injury. I think it kept him out for nearly a year. I think he fractured his kneecap, which sounds one of the most ridiculously painful injuries I’ve ever heard of. But I really liked him in the season before he got injured,” he told The Highbury Squad.
“I spoke earlier about Arsenal wanting somebody who can play across the front line. He can play as a false nine, left or right wing, very promising. And obviously they have got a lot of Portuguese speaking players in the squad, so he’d fit into that clique quite nicely. But I don’t think it would happen in January. It’s as close as I’m going to come to a put it in the bin.”
Wolves’ asking price will surely be too high for Arsenal
It would be no surprise to see Neto leave Wolves at some stage. He has been superb for the club when he has been fit. It is almost remarkable to think that he is only 22 years of age.
He is a ‘sensational‘ talent with an incredibly high ceiling. With that, Wolves are going to be demanding a huge sum, particularly as Julen Lopetegui’s men battle against relegation in the Premier League.
Given the amount of injuries he has had, clubs such as Arsenal probably do not feel ready to part with such a figure for the youngster at this stage of his career.
