Chelsea are on the verge of completing the signing of Pedro Neto from Wolves.
Fabrizio Romano has just put out an update saying that the winger has passed his medical and will sign his contract this evening. It will be a deal until 2030, with a club option for a further year beyond that.
The Portugal international will be at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, where he can be presented to the fans ahead of the final preseason friendly against Inter Milan.
All told it looks set to be a €63m deal, should Neto complete the requirements for various bonuses. The 24 year old has had a rocky time with injuries since coming to the Premier League, but looks a genuine star on his day, and the sporting directors are clearly convinced he’s over those problems.
It’s a big gamble from them – this is by far the most expensive deal of the summer so far, and they’re putting quite a few of their eggs in this basket.
🚨🔵 Understand Pedro Neto has just passed his medical in London as new Chelsea player!
Contract to be signed this evening valid until June 2030 plus option for further season.
Neto will be at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to be presented to supporters. pic.twitter.com/QyIJR3Ujub
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 10, 2024
Where the new man fits in
It’s been clear all summer that Chelsea have been looking for a left footed right winger. That’s what Romano and others briefed previously. It’s a slightly strange strategy, as Noni Madueke has had a good preseason, and we expect Cole Palmer to play off the right a lot to accommodate Christopher Nkunku and others in the middle.
The left hand side has had heavy investment, but has ended up with the rather unsatisfactory pairing of Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk as the main options.
Perhaps that’s the benefit of Neto as an option, as the sporting directors see it. He can (and has) played down both sides, and will be able to fill in wherever Chelsea think they’re lacking quality. We expect to see him play down both sides this season, and potentially as a false 9 too.
