Arsenal ‘earmark two Pedro Neto alternatives’ as Wolves hold firm on £50m transfer

Arsenal have two alternative targets in mind if they fail to agree a transfer deal with Wolves for Pedro Neto, according to reports. The Gunners have made the Portuguese forward their No 1 attacking target for the final stretch of the summer transfer window but a deal is by no means easy with Wolves expected to hold out for £50million.

Initial talks have already taken place with Neto’s agent Jorge Mendes but Molineux chiefs hold all the cards over a potential sale.

Additionally, Neto is tied down to a long-term contract at the club until 2027 – hindering Arsenal’s chances of negotiating a transfer within the next week or so.

Nonetheless, they are going to try their best and the loan departure of Nicolas Pepe to Nice could give them a welcome financial boost – so too the potential sale of Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Yet if Arsenal cannot land Neto, they could well turn attention to Moussa Diaby or Yeremy Pino, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

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“Neto would be really tempted by Arsenal but I’m told the player is not forcing anything as of now but he’d be keen to go to Arsenal.”

For now, Romano claims Arsenal are focused on outgoings and there are still a number of players that could yet leave the Emirates before the September 1 deadline…

He added: “Outgoings are the priority. Before signing a new winger they want to complete the loan deal with Nice for Nicolas Pepe.

“Negotiations are progressing and I’m told it doesn’t include any buy option but it’s still in negotiations so it could change.

“At the moment no buy option, it’s a loan deal until the end of the season and they’re discussing the salary coverage. Also important to say, for the outgoings, they’re looking to find a solution for [Ainsley] Maitland-Niles.

“West Ham are interested so Maitland-Niles could be another player set to leave Arsenal.”

Arteta has made it clear the Gunners will be looking to bring in at least one more signing before the transfer deadline.

He said: “We will try until the end, the transfer window is tricky at the moment, we would like to do something else, but let’s see what we can do.”