Manchester City are reportedly preparing a substantial £70 million bid for Chelsea winger Pedro Neto, as new manager Enzo Maresca seeks to strengthen his squad with his former player. The Portuguese talent has emerged as a key target for City, strengthening links following Maresca’s recent appointment at the Etihad Stadium.
This development comes in the wake of Maresca’s exit from Chelsea on New Year’s Day, after a tumultuous end to 2025 that saw him linked with roles at both City and Juventus. Having previously served as an assistant manager at City, Maresca is keen to implement his vision for the team and has signed a three-year contract with the club.
Pedro Neto as a key target for Maresca
Reports suggest that Maresca is eyeing a reunion with Neto, viewing him as an ideal fit for his tactical setup at City. According to transfer-maresca/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener nofollow”>The Sun, City have officially entered the race for the 26-year-old, who is also in high demand from AC Milan, where he is seen as a replacement for Rafael Leao.
Chelsea’s stance on Neto
Despite the interest from City, Chelsea have placed a hefty £70 million price tag on Neto. The club regard him as an integral member of their roster and are under no immediate pressure to part ways, although they acknowledge that a substantial offer could change their approach. Chelsea’s recent outlay on Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa may further complicate their decision-making in this case.
Maresca’s wishlist includes other Chelsea stars
Maresca’s ambitions do not stop with Neto; he also has his sights set on fellow Chelsea players Enzo Fernandez and Malo Gusto. The latter is a right-back target, but City could be deterred by Gusto’s £75 million valuation. Meanwhile, they are also considering a major move for Fernandez, contingent on developments regarding Rodri’s future at the club.
The SportiveNews view
This potential transfer hinges on several factors, primarily Chelsea’s willingness to negotiate on Neto’s asking price and the growing competition from AC Milan. Maresca’s existing relationship with Neto could play a critical role, but Chelsea’s current squad strategy may complicate any swift resolution to this situation.
Frequently asked questions
What prompted Manchester City to target Pedro Neto?
Manchester City are interested in Pedro Neto following the appointment of Enzo Maresca as their manager. Maresca views Neto as a fitting player for his tactical ideas and aims to integrate him into the City setup.
What is Chelsea’s stance on selling Neto?
Chelsea have set a £70 million asking price for Pedro Neto, viewing him as a crucial member of their squad. While they are not in a hurry to sell, a real offer might influence their decision.
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