Spurs ready to hijack Man City's Pedro Neto transfer if complex domino effect plays out

Manchester City’s pursuit of Chelsea winger Pedro Neto could be hijacked by Tottenham, but one thing must happen first.

On Tuesday (August 4), Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Man City had made direct contact with Neto’s camp over a move.

Neto is thought to be just one of several wingers being targeted by City, although a move will likely depend on the future of Savinho, who has been linked with Spurs.

Of course, Maresca previously worked with the Portugal international during his time as Chelsea head coach.

But the deal may not be straightforward despite Maresca’s healthy working relationship with Neto.

According to Romano, Spurs would consider hijacking City’s move for Neto if their own pursuit of primary target Savinho fell through, although the Brazilian has “a very, very good chance of joining Tottenham”.

“Manchester City have made formal approaches with the agent of Pedro Neto today,” Romano said on his YouTube channel.

“[And] with his camp to bring the Portuguese winger to Manchester City.

“Enzo Maresca is a big factor in this deal because he knows the player so well... he [Neto] is a player appreciated by Maresca.”

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Romano explained the reason City are looking for a winger is due to the possibility of Savinho leaving this summer, creating a vacancy on the right flank.

The Italian maintained that Neto is not among the players Chelsea are planning to sell this summer, with the player in Xabi Alonso’s plans for the upcoming season.

The Stamford Bridge club reportedly value Neto at around £70million.

“It depends if Chelsea receive a good proposal,” Romano added.

“This story could develop; otherwise, he’s not a player who has to leave the club. But for sure, the situation of Pedro Neto is something that’s underway right now; contacts are ongoing with the agent, and the player could eventually be open to the move. Now it comes down to the financial negotiations in terms of the value of the player.”

Savinho is under contract at City until 2031, while Neto’s Chelsea deal also runs until 2031.

Spurs have also been linked with Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo and Benfica’s Andreas Schjelderup, as well as reportedly being offered the chance to sign AS Monaco forward Folarin Balogun.

Roberto De Zerbi has already welcomed Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, Andrew Robertson and Martin Dúbravka during the summer transfer window.

Club captain Cristian Romero looks set to join Inter Milan while Lucas Bergvall’s future remains uncertain.

Enzo Maresca speaks out on Man City transfer plans

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Maresca offered his thoughts on City’s summer transfer plans.

“Fortunately, this is a squad that doesn’t need to do many things,” he said.

“At the same time, we already know the squad lost some important players with experience, with Bernardo [Silva], John [Stones], Nathan [Ake]…different players.

“For sure, there are things we need to do.

“Hugo [Viana, Sporting Director] is here. Also Ferran [Soriano, CEO] is here. We just try to speak day by day to see if we need to do something.

“For sure there are things we need to do. We are in communication every day.

“The reason I said there are things to do is because the transfer window is open and when it is open, anything can happen. It is August and then from September, when it’s closed, it is completely different.”

City have already signed Elliot Anderson, Jeremy Monga and Mathys Detourbet.