Pedro Neto emerges as Arsenal transfer priority

Arsenal are ready to make a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers star Pedro Neto as the winger emerges as the club’s priority target, according to The Athletic.

The Gunners are reportedly in talks with Neto and his camp as they try to sound out the probability of a deal materialising in the final days of the summer transfer window.

The news comes after links between Neto and the North Londoners emerged just last week, with the highly-rated 22-year-old generating interest from elsewhere as well.

Talks with super-agent Jorge Mendes, pivotal in the winger’s transfer from Lazio to Wolves in 2019, stretch back as far as a month.

Yet Arsenal are hopeful of breaking through and landing their new number one target before the summer deadline.

Mendes, who holds very close ties with the Midlands outfit, also played a role as an intermediary in Fábio Vieira’s recent switch to North London from FC Porto this summer.

However, as per The Athletic’s report, the Gunners will have more obstacles than just Wolves to overcome in the pursuit of Neto.

Arsenal are currently attempting to close a deal which will see record-signing Nicolas Pépé join Ligue 1 outfit Nice on a season-long loan.

Additionally, Mikel Arteta’s men are also actively attempting to shift more players out the door, as the likes of Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Héctor Bellerín approach pastures new.

The anticipated departures could ease the club’s fears of failing to comply with the Premier League’s and UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules after spending approximately £120m this summer.

Neto’s recent contract renewal with the Molineux outfit potentially complicates matters for Arsenal as well, strengthening Wolves’ hand in the market.

Bruno Lage’s men are in a strong position to sell, however, after the permanent captures of Hwang Hee-chan and Valencia forward Gonçalo Guedes.

Wolves are also rumoured to be on the receiving end of another Mendes-orchestrated deal before the closure of the window after links to Benfica striker Gonçalo Ramos.

The interest in Neto leads on from Arsenal’s attempts to land Leeds United star Raphinha, eventually snatched by Barcelona.

Neto, who’s featured 95 times for his current club, follows the blueprint of recent Arteta signings after demonstrating his proficiency across a number of forward roles, including both wings.