Wolves want Forbs as replacement
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Chelsea FC and Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly agreed on the transfer of 24-year-old Pedro Neto. Wolves are expected to receive from the Londoners almost the transfer fee they initially asked for the Portuguese winger. Chelsea have once again made a transfer over the €50 million mark.
According to information from « The Athletic », Neto’s transfer fee is €60 million. Wolves could receive an additional €3 million through bonuses. Fabrice Hawkins of « RMC Sport » was the first to write about the impending change. The basic fee alone would represent the second most expensive sale in the history of the West Midlands team. Only for Matheus Nunes did Manchester City receive a higher amount last year. For Chelsea, this is the first transfer fee above €50 million this year, but the 13th since 2020. Over the last five seasons (including the next one), Chelsea has now spent almost €1.6 billion.
The Blues’ exorbitant figures on the transfer market are not enough: Neto would be the 35th transfer under new owner Todd Boehly in the last two years. This year’s spending would amount to €190 million with the €60 million for Neto. In a global comparison, the Stamford Bridge club currently occupies fourth place behind FC Bayern, among others. So far, Aston Villa has been the biggest spender, but Chelsea would push the Lions out of first place if Neto’s transfer is perfect.
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Wolverhampton would then have to react as well. Neto only made 20 league appearances for Wolves last season due to two long-term injuries, but still contributed eleven goals. Nine assists were – measured in terms of appearances – the second-best figure in the last Premier League behind Kevin de Bruyne (ten assists in 18 games, for the list of assist providers in 2023/24). Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, who also reports that Neto’s transfer is imminent, names Carlos Forbs of Ajax as his successor. The Amsterdammers paid €14 million for their 20-year-old compatriot Netos last year.
In Chelsea’s bloated squad, Neto would face plenty of competition at wing-back – Noni Madueke, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling are among them, as is Cole Palmer (Chelsea’s squad by position and secondary positions). Chelsea’s first team currently has 42 players, 19 more than neighbours Fulham FC, located a few miles away (among all Premier League teams).