Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Pedro Neto has reportedly completed his Chelsea medical ahead of signing a six-year contract with the Blues.
Despite a plethora of injury problems during his Premier League career, the 24-year-old has always been regarded as one of the jewels in the Molineux crown and made his mark in 2023-24.
From 24 appearances in all competitions, Neto scored three goals of his own and provided 11 assists, form which helped Gary O'Neil's men comfortably secure Premier League survival.
Long linked with a move to Arsenal, Neto was also believed to have caught the eye of Liverpool with his performances last season, although his injury record makes for unpleasant reading.
The attacker has missed a staggering 112 matches for club and country since making the move to Wolves from Lazio in 2019, but Chelsea still saw fit to fork out a £54m fee for his services.
© Reuters
Neto to be unveiled before Inter Milan clash?
After travelling down to London for his medical examinations, journalist Ben Jacobs reports that Neto has passed his physical tests and will finalise his long-term contract on Saturday evening.
The Portugal international is set to sign a six-year deal with Enzo Maresca's side, who will also have the option to extend his terms by another 12 months until the end of the 2030-31 season.
Neto has agreed his terms with Chelsea in principle despite the best efforts of two of the Blues' Premier League rivals, including Manchester City, who supposedly failed with a late approach to hijack a deal.
Jacobs adds that Tottenham Hotspur also threw their hat into the ring with a player-plus-cash offer - the identity of the player(s) is not known - but Neto only had eyes for a move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are expected to unveil Neto to the West London crowd just before kickoff in Sunday's friendly with Inter Milan, ahead of his possible debut on the opening weekend of the Premier League season against Manchester City.
Is Neto's signing a smart move from the Chelsea board?
Pedro Neto has just passed his Chelsea medical in London. Personal terms now being finalised this evening. All agreed in principle. 6+1 contract.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 10, 2024
Chelsea beat Spurs to Neto's signature after latter made a cash-player offer. Also understand Manchester City made a late approach.🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/Z7PCIPF0EW
The 24-year-old will depart Wolves with a record of 14 goals and 24 assists from 135 matches across all tournaments, and the West Midlands side will make a healthy profit on the £15.4m that they forked out to sign him from Lazio five years ago.
At 24 years of age, Neto is actually on the older end of the Chelsea signing scale during the Todd Boehly era, and the winger demonstrated in the first half of last season that his quality had not dwindled despite his frequent fitness woes.
Few Premier League players could match Neto's level of playmaking when he was fully fit, but whether the winger will be able to complete a 50+ game season for the Blues is another matter entirely.
Furthermore, Maresca's wide ranks are already extremely well-stocked; Mykhaylo Mudryk, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Raheem Sterling are all on the books, while Christopher Nkunku is no stranger to the wing either.
The Chelsea medical staff may be able to work some magic and banish Neto's injury woes to the past, but at a first glance, there is no doubt that Wolves are getting the better end of the deal.
Ben Knapton
