Chelsea dragged deeper into transfer market as €63m star triggers back-up plan

Updated: 5 Aug 2026 12:57 BST | 4 min read

Matthew Judge | Editor

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Chelsea are not actively looking to sell Pedro Neto but they are analysing the transfer market for a possible replacement, according to the Daily Mail.

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Fabrizio Romano reported on Tuesday that Manchester City have contacted Neto’s camp to gauge his interest in joining them.

The Mail’s Kieran Gill understands Chelsea have not placed a valuation on the Portugal international, who has the trust of manager Xabi Alonso.

However, Gill claims the west London club are preparing themselves in case Neto signals his intent to join Man City this summer.

Man City are believed to have identified Neto as a possible replacement for Brazilian winger Savinho, who has interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

The Cityzens are currently managed by Enzo Maresca, who signed Neto when he was in charge of Chelsea in August 2024.

Neto moved to Chelsea from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a €63million (£54m) deal, signing a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

The 26-year-old winger has gone on to score 19 goals in 103 appearances for the six-time league champions, winning two honours.

Chelsea have backed manager Alonso with six new signings

Man City’s interest in Neto has dragged Chelsea deeper into the transfer market, in what has already been a busy summer for new boss Alonso.

Chelsea have so far backed the Spaniard with the signings of Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Danny Welbeck, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson.

Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha, Denner and Dastan Satpaev have also joined on pre-arranged deals that were negotiated before Alonso's appointment in May.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein also understands Chelsea are on the verge of reaching an agreement with Rayo Vallecano to sign left-back Pep Chavarria.

Chelsea remain keen to balance Alonso’s squad by making further sales this summer, with Marc Cucurella, Andrey Santos and Tyrique George having already left on permanent deals.

Alejandro Garnacho has also joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan with a conditional obligation to buy at the end of the 2026-27 season.

Meanwhile The Athletic’s Ornstein understands Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah is set to join Serie A side Como in a deal worth up to €35m (£30m).