Pedro Neto, the Wolves winger, was once considered the ideal backup for Bukayo Saka at Arsenal. His skill set and potential made him a long-term target for the Gunners, but things didn’t pan out as many fans had hoped. Recently, Chelsea swooped in and secured Neto’s signature, leaving Arsenal and Spurs empty-handed.
Gooners were disappointed, feeling that Arsenal had missed out on a perfect opportunity to strengthen their squad. The frustration was palpable, especially since Arsenal had been monitoring Neto for some time. Yet, despite the lengthy interest, Arsenal never made an official move. It wasn’t until later that the reasons behind this became clear.
Here is why Arsenal are not fighting with Chelsea for Pedro Neto
James Olley, speaking on ESPN, shed light on the situation. According to him, there were two key factors that led Arsenal to pull back from pursuing Neto. The first was the player’s injury history, which raised concerns about his reliability. The second reason was Arsenal’s intention to explore other options, as they sought someone who could be consistently available throughout the season. Mikel Arteta, known for his emphasis on player availability, likely had a significant say in this decision.
Olley also hinted that Arsenal might have felt Chelsea’s move was a close call. He mentioned that the north Londoners had been eyeing Neto for a long time, but ultimately chose to look elsewhere during the transfer window.
Whether Arsenal’s decision to pass on Neto was the right one will only become clear with time. However, the decision to explore alternatives could turn out to be a masterstroke. One name that has surfaced as a potential option is Simon Adingra from Brighton. The young winger has shown flashes of brilliance and could prove to be an exciting addition to the Gunners’ squad. If Adingra lights up the Emirates, Arsenal fans might just find themselves relieved that Neto didn’t make the move to north London.
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Eddie Nketiah’s future with the north Londoners has taken an unexpected turn, as Bournemouth has reportedly decided to withdraw their interest in the striker. Initially, the Gunners had been open to offloading Nketiah, with Olympique Marseille showing keen interest. Nketiah even agreed to personal terms with the French club, but the deal hit a snag when Arsenal and Marseille couldn’t agree on a transfer fee. This left the striker’s future in limbo, with no immediate resolution in sight.
After Marseille’s withdrawal, Bournemouth appeared to be the next likely destination for Nketiah. The Cherries had recently sold Dominic Solanke to Tottenham, creating a need for a new striker. Arsenal had hoped that this would pave the way for a deal, but it seems that Bournemouth’s interest in Nketiah has cooled. Instead, the south coast club opted to strengthen their attack by signing Evanilson from FC Porto in a move that could be worth up to £40 million. This acquisition has effectively shut the door on any potential move for Nketiah to Bournemouth.
