Chelsea agree £54m Pedro Neto transfer as Blues add 46th player to squad

Chelsea have sealed a sensational £54million deal to bring Wolves winger Pedro Neto to Stamford Bridge.

The Portuguese star, who has been on the radar of Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle, is set to undergo a medical before signing a long-term contract with the Blues.

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil had previously stated that they wouldn’t stand in Neto’s way if a substantial offer met their valuation. Now, Chelsea have put forward the funds to lure the Portugal international from Molineux, just a week before Wolves kick off their Premier League campaign against Arsenal.

Agent Jorge Mendes played a pivotal role in the deal which will see Neto become Chelsea’s 10th acquisition this summer. Having three years left on his contract at Wolves, the club were under no urgency to sell.

Neto, who scored twice in 20 appearances last season despite battling hamstring injuries, also featured in all three of Portugal’s group matches at Euro 2024.

Both Spurs and Chelsea are believed to have had player-plus-cash offers rejected by Wolves before Chelsea’s latest bid was accepted.

Tottenham’s proposal to include midfielder Oliver Skipp was quickly dismissed by Wolves. Chelsea also saw an initial cash-only offer turned down before they increased their bid.

Wolves are reportedly interested in former Manchester City academy star Carlos Forbs, currently at Ajax, as a potential replacement for Neto.

Forbs, 20, joined Ajax from City in a £16.3m deal in 2023 after a move to West Ham fell through.

Neto bid farewell to his Wolves colleagues on Friday morning before heading to London for a medical examination.

In agreeing a deal for Neto, Chelsea are set to have a staggering 46 players in their squad with just one week remaining until the 2024-25 Premier League campaign kicks off.

Enzo Maresca has a tough task on his hands to keep players happy as they vie for a starting berth, while Todd Boehly will be desperately looking to sell in a bid to raise necessary funds.