EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal step up Pedro Neto pursuit despite limited budget
Steve Kay
- Updated: 18 Oct 2023 11:31 BST
- 4 min read
Arsenal are looking to step up their pursuit of signing Wolves’ in-form winger Pedro Neto to ease the workload on the right-hand side for Bukayo Saka, FootballTransfers is told.
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta, a long-time admirer of the Portuguese international, has been informed by the hierarchy that only a limited transfer budget has been made available to bring one marquee signing unless players are to be sold or subsequently loaned out to other clubs.
We understand that if the possibility does arise where both Neto and Brentford striker Ivan Toney, whom Arsenal are also keen on, do become available in January, the Gunners boss would prefer to bring in the Wolves winger over the much more expensive Brentford striker due to the increasing pressure put on Saka and recent injuries that seem to be stacking up since the start of the season.
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Given there is a serious chance for Arsenal to win the title for the first time since the 2003/04 season this term, another goalscorer is paramount in January, but we have been told the north London feel that Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and new signing Kai Havertz are all capable of playing the No.9 role.
Furthermore, sources tell us that Arsenal value Neto at £40million. However, at this stage, Wolves want £70m for the Premier League assist leader - an amount that could still rise between now and the winter window opening.
Arsenal's January business
Josh Kroenke traditionally doesn't like to spend big in January, especially since Arteta came to the club.
During the Spaniard’s tenure in north London, the club have brought in Jorginho from Chelsea for €11.3m, Jakub Kiwior from Spezia for €25m, Pablo Mari from Flamengo for €6m, Austin Trusty from Colorado for €1.8m, and Leandro Trossard from Brighton for €24m in January windows.
READ: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta a massive fan of Chelsea star
The rest have been loans, such as Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid, Cedric Soares from Southampton, and Matthew Ryan from Brighton.
