Arsenal told to raid Chelsea to complete signing of £70m attacker

Arsenal have received fresh encouragement to rival Manchester City for Chelsea winger Pedro Neto after former striker Jeremie Aliadiere backed a surprise move. Goal.com reports that the Frenchman believes Mikel Arteta should forget a blockbuster pursuit of Vinicius Junior and instead focus on a player who already knows the Premier League inside out.

Pedro Neto Arsenal transfer claim emerges after former Gunner’s advice

Real Madrid’s decision to tie Vinicius to a new contract forced Arsenal to rethink their plans after Leandro Trossard’s departure. Aliadiere feels chasing another £150 million attacker would stretch the club’s finances unnecessarily after heavy investment across recent transfer windows.

He sees Neto as a far smarter option. Chelsea value the Portugal international at around £70 million, while Arsenal have already spent £40 million on Christos Tzolis this summer. Neto has scored 19 goals in 103 appearances since arriving from Wolves in August 2024, giving him a proven record in English football.

Chelsea aren’t actively pushing him out, although circumstances could change. Xabi Alonso still has a senior squad of 41 players and has admitted departures are needed before the transfer window shuts. Manchester City remain interested, leaving Arsenal with a decision over whether to enter the race.

Pedro Neto to Arsenal would answer one problem but create another

Aliadiere’s suggestion has obvious appeal because Arsenal need another wide forward. Even so, paying £70 million for Neto feels more like a reaction than a carefully judged move.

His numbers from last season deserve credit. Neto scored five Premier League goals and produced six assists across 34 appearances, playing 2,646 league minutes. He added another goal and two assists in domestic cup and Champions League matches before featuring five times for Portugal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after lifting the 2025 UEFA Nations League.

Pedro Neto Arsenal debate overlooks a costly tactical compromise

There’s a catch. Eight of Neto’s nine Premier League goal involvements came from the right wing, exactly where Bukayo Saka remains Arsenal’s undisputed first choice. Spending £70 million on a player whose strongest performances arrive in Saka’s position doesn’t represent smart squad building.

Read: Arsenal rocked as £60m-rated England star bid rejected after major twist

His injury history adds another layer of doubt. Neto stayed available for most of last season, yet previous soft-tissue problems can’t simply disappear from the discussion when such a substantial fee is involved. Arsenal would probably gain better value by targeting a younger specialist on the left, protecting their budget while giving Gabriel Martinelli genuine competition instead of paying a premium for a player whose best football comes from the opposite flank.