Pedro Neto has not always been the most popular figure among Chelsea fans. He has had his ups and downs since joining the club from Wolves. That being said, no one can deny how integral he has become to Enzo Maresca’s plans. He has scored four goals and provided two assists in 16 appearances in all competitions this season.
Beyond the numbers, Neto is also important to how Chelsea plays. Whenever there is a break, you will see players try to find the Portuguese winger, who can cover a lot of ground with his pace and quality on the ball. Furthermore, he has the ability to play in multiple positions, which is an added bonus for whatever club he is at.
Not surprisingly, NATO’s performance did not go unnoticed. And it looks like he’s attracting the attention of Chelsea’s rivals FC Barcelona this week.
As Fichajes reports, Neto has become the central focus of Barcelona’s playing plan. The biggest obstacle for Barca is Chelsea’s tough stance. Internally, it is said that any negotiations would start at a figure in excess of €80 million, which is beyond the Spanish club’s current budget.
Chelsea ready to let Pedro Neto join Barcelona on one condition
So, it seems that Barcelona sees Neto as someone who can improve their team. But the transfer fee Chelsea would want for him may be beyond their budget unless they clear some key departures first.
Then again, that spot on the right side could be assigned to Estevao at some point in the near future. Many fans believe that the Brazilian is already good enough to start consistently for the Blues.
If that happens, would Neto be open to the idea of remaining at Chelsea as a rotational option? Probably not. Again, his versatility means he can also start on the opposite wing, where the Blues also do not have a confirmed starter.
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