£70m Chelsea star close to joining league rivals as manager drops a big hint

Pedro Neto Transfer News: Manchester City‘s transfer business could still gather pace before the summer window closes. Enzo Maresca offered that impression while speaking in Seoul ahead of the club’s friendly against the K-League All Stars, where he admitted fresh arrivals remain a genuine possibility despite an already busy summer.

Goal.com UK reports that Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has become one of City’s leading attacking targets. The Portugal international carries a price tag of around £70 million and has emerged as the preferred option to replace Savinho, who is heading towards Tottenham Hotspur in search of regular first-team football.

Maresca gave little away. Even so, his remark that “anything can happen” during August added fuel to the speculation. He revealed he remains in constant contact with director of football Hugo Viana and chief executive Ferran Soriano as Manchester City continue assessing opportunities before the deadline.

“Fortunately, this is a squad that doesn’t need to do many things,” he said. “At the same time, as we already know, the club lost important players in terms of experience like Bernardo [Silva], John [Stones], Nathan [Ake], different players. So for sure, there are things that we need to do.”

City have already entered a fresh era after Pep Guardiola’s departure following ten remarkable years in charge. Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Nathan Aké have all left, while the Premier League champions broke their transfer record by signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a £116 million deal. Maresca’s focus stays on improving performances after defeat to Inter Milan in Hong Kong, although recruitment clearly remains active behind the scenes.

Why Pedro Neto Transfer News matters for Chelsea

Neto delivered one of his finest league campaigns in 2025/26. The 26-year-old started 30 of Chelsea’s 34 Premier League matches, scored five goals and supplied six assists. His influence stretched much further, though. He produced an outstanding 187 crosses across the season and reached 10 goals in all competitions before contributing one assist in five appearances for Portugal at the 2026 World Cup.

Allowing a player with those numbers to leave would create a sizeable tactical gap for Xabi Alonso. Chelsea would receive well over £70 million, easing financial pressure and giving the club room to chase more targets, yet replacing Neto’s directness, creativity and relentless service from wide positions won’t be straightforward. Morgan Rogers, signed for £117 million, would immediately face huge expectations.

How the move could affect Manchester United

Manchester United may not be chasing Neto, although they still have plenty riding on this transfer. A move to Manchester City strengthens one of their biggest domestic rivals with a proven Premier League winger already settled in English football.

Read: Chelsea plotting transfer raid on European rivals for £51.5m world-class star

Chelsea would then possess another major transfer budget. That changes the wider market because the London club could accelerate moves for players linked with United, including Ajax winger Mika Godts and Bologna defender Jhon Lucumí. Suddenly, one deal starts influencing several others, and that is why this developing story stretches far beyond Pedro Neto alone.