Chelsea continue to make big moves in the transfer market, with their latest target being Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Pedro Neto. The deal, worth almost £54m, will see Neto undergo a medical before finalizing his move to Stamford Bridge. This signing will take Chelsea’s summer spending past the £200m mark, highlighting their determination to bolster their squad.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Neto was not an easy one, as they had two previous bids rejected by Wolves. The Blues initially offered a player-plus-cash deal, which included David Datro Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah, but it was turned down. They then made a straight cash offer, which also got rejected. However, Chelsea’s persistence paid off, and they finally struck a deal with Wolves for an initial fee of £51.3m, along with £2.6m in add-ons.
Neto, a Portugal international, has been a key player for Wolves since joining them from Lazio in 2019. He has made 135 appearances for the club and scored 14 goals during his time there. If the deal goes through, Neto will become Wolves’ record sale, surpassing Ruben Neves’ move to Al-Hilal last summer for £47m.
This signing adds to Chelsea’s already impressive summer transfer activity. The club has signed nine players for a total of around £140m. The new arrivals include midfielders Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Renato Veiga, and Omari Kellyman, goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, defenders Tosin Adarabioyo, Aaron Anselmino, and Caleb Wiley, winger Estevao Willian, and striker Marc Guiu. They are also close to securing the signing of goalkeeper Mike Penders for £17m, with the intention of loaning him back to Genk, as well as Atletico Madrid forward Samu Omorodion for £34.5m.
If Penders, Omorodion, and Neto all join, Chelsea’s summer spending will exceed £240m. The club has managed to recoup around £90m through player sales, including the likes of Ian Maatsen, Lewis Hall, and Omari Hutchinson. Additionally, Conor Gallagher is expected to join Atletico Madrid for £33m. These signings and departures will significantly increase the size of Chelsea’s senior squad, potentially reaching up to 50 players.
Under the leadership of a new manager, Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s recruitment strategy will be put to the test in the upcoming Premier League season. The club has adopted a youth-first approach, evident in the average age of their summer signings, which is around 20.5 years old. While they have made some senior signings, such as Adarabioyo and Dewsbury-Hall, the focus remains on building a young and talented squad.
It is clear that Chelsea’s ambition knows no bounds when it comes to strengthening their team. With their significant investments in the transfer market, they are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for success in both domestic and European competitions. As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Chelsea to see if their extensive squad overhaul pays off and if they can challenge for major honors.