Following an outstanding start to the season, Liverpool is likely to join Arsenal in the race to recruit Pedro Neto of the Wolves.
With the January transfer window rapidly approaching, Liverpool may be planning to sabotage Arsenal’s attempt to sign Pedro Neto of Wolves. Given the significance of the talents they now have playing in that position, both teams are looking to strengthen their right-flank at the time.
That comes in the form of Bukayo Saka for the Gunners, who has been crucial to the team’s ascent to the top once more after breaking into the senior system. Although the winger has put up excellent stats and performances, there is growing worry about his overuse and the amount of time he spends on the pitch.
The England international has largely avoided injuries up until this point, but recent weeks have only highlighted potential challenges if he were to start missing games frequently. Saka was forced to withdraw from two recent games and even missed the match against Manchester City entirely due to a string of doubts that plagued him before to the last few games.
It may have highlighted the need for the young player to have an ideal replacement to enable for rotation or to address those injury concerns. Given his age and recent transfer interest, Mohamed Salah’s long-term replacement will be the focus of Liverpool.
Teams in the Saudi Pro League anticipated a significant move during the most recent transfer window due to the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s acquisition of many clubs and subsequent massive recruitment campaign. Salah remained, but the narrative might still be unfolding there, suggesting that finding the “next Salah” may be the plan.
It’s possible that Neto, who has performed admirably for Wolves in the Premier League this season, may step in as the replacement. Although there have been injury concerns over the Portuguese winger, January opens the possibility for a transfer and a potential bidding battle. Arsenal has been keeping an eye on him for a few seasons.
Neil Jones, a Liverpool specialist, asserts that the Reds are considering a possible hijack, telling CaughtOffside: “Given the manner Pedro Neto has begun the Premier League season, I’m not shocked to see his name associated with elite clubs. The Wolves player has always been a tremendous talent, one that is admired by almost every major team, including Liverpool, but injuries have seriously hindered him recently.
“Now he’s back fit, we are seeing what he can do, and the pace and threat he brings, plus the room for development he has at 23, mark him out as someone who can definitely take the next step by moving to a Champions League club. Whether that’s Liverpool – they still need to get back to the Champions League, by the way! – remains to be seen.
“I know that Neto has admirers at Anfield, and that his versatility and skillset would be well-suited to a Jurgen Klopp side. But then the same could be said, I believe, for a Mikel Arteta side or a Pep Guardiola side. I believe he is of that level, potentially.The first aim for him, though, must be to stay fit and to turn this purple patch into something more sustainable.
“He still needs to improve his numbers, particularly in terms of goal-scoring, if he is to put himself in that top bracket of attackers. But he is making waves at Wolves right now, and if he continues to do so then we can expect him to move on to bigger and better things next season. With reasons to think that the Mohamed Salah to Saudi Arabia stories might not be going away in 2024, Neto could definitely be one to watch.”