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Chelsea agree shock £54m Pedro Neto deal

Chelsea agree shock £54m Pedro Neto deal
Published 2 months ago on Aug 09, 2024

Chelsea Seal £54m Deal for Pedro Neto as Enzo Maresca’s Spending Spree Approaches £200M.

Chelsea have completed a surprise £54 million deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Pedro Neto, marking another high-profile addition under new boss Enzo Maresca. The transfer, which has been finalized with minimal prior discussion, underscores the club's aggressive summer spending strategy.

The 24-year-old Portuguese international, who struggled with injuries last season but was still considered Wolves' standout player, is set to undergo a medical ahead of his move to Stamford Bridge. Neto, who was also part of Portugal’s squad at the European Championship in Germany, will add significant depth to Chelsea’s attacking options.

The transfer is part of Chelsea’s broader spending spree, which has seen co-owner Todd Boehly invest over £1 billion in new signings since taking over the club two years ago. With the Neto deal and other ongoing negotiations, Chelsea's summer expenditure is poised to reach a staggering £199 million.

Initially, Chelsea had two bids for Neto turned down before agreeing on a deal that includes an upfront payment of £51.4 million, with the remainder of the fee dependent on performance-related add-ons. Despite Neto’s recent injury concerns—he missed over 100 days of football last season due to hamstring issues—his potential impact at Chelsea was deemed worth the investment.

Neto has recently returned to training with Wolves after Portugal’s exit from the Euro 2024 quarter-finals and has been preparing for the new Premier League season in Florida. Wolves' manager, Gary O’Neil, had hoped to retain his key players ahead of the season’s start but has ultimately agreed to Neto’s departure.

This move continues Chelsea's extensive transfer activity this summer, with Neto becoming the club's ninth signing. The Blues are not stopping there, as they are also finalizing a £34.5 million deal with Atletico Madrid for Spanish striker Samu Omorodion. Omorodion, who spent last season on loan at Alaves and scored eight goals in 35 appearances, will be joining Chelsea after a highly profitable transaction for Atletico. The Spanish side is set to make a £29 million profit on a player they acquired for just £5.1 million from Granada last year.

Chelsea are expected to offer Omorodion a seven-year contract, with an option for an additional year. His robust physical presence in the penalty area is seen as a valuable asset for Maresca, who is keen on bolstering his attacking options ahead of the Premier League season.

As Chelsea's spending continues, speculation surrounds a potential 10th signing, with the club monitoring Victor Osimhen’s situation at Napoli. Despite Chelsea's interest, Napoli remains firm on their asking price for Osimhen. In parallel, Napoli is reportedly interested in Blues outcast Romelu Lukaku, adding another layer to the ongoing transfer negotiations.

Chelsea’s pursuit of high-profile signings reflects their ambition to rebound from a disappointing previous season and strengthen their squad for the upcoming Premier League campaign. With the season’s start approaching, the club’s spending spree appears far from over as they continue to reshape their roster under Maresca’s guidance.

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