'Superstar' was reportedly Arsenal's top target in August but they surely won't sign him now - opinion
Wolves winger Pedro Neto was a summer transfer target for Arsenal but he has now suffered an injury which means he will miss the World Cup.
A statement on the club website read: “Pedro sustained an ankle injury against West Ham on Saturday where he strained the lateral ligaments.
“Following further evaluation and a specialist opinion this week, it is planned for him to undergo surgery. This means that, unfortunately, he will not be fit for the upcoming World Cup.”
That comes on top of the injury which kept him out for a large part of last season, and adds up to more rotten luck for the wideman.
Arsenal target Neto needs surgery on ankle injury
The Athletic reported back in August that Neto was Arsenal’s top transfer target, with that interest growing even keener if Nicolas Pepe left on loan.
Pepe did leave on loan but Neto did not come through the door, with Wolves asking for a huge fee and emboldened by what Nottingham Forest paid for Morgan Gibbs-White.
The Express report that Arsenal were planning to explore that deal again in January but that is off the cards now with this latest injury.
And in our view, it would be a surprise if Arsenal went back in for Neto even once he is back fit.
There will be other options with more form behind them and better injury records, and also not owned by Premier League clubs who can command huge fees.
The picture may change if Wolves get relegated and have to offload some of their better players for reduced fees, but that is a huge maybe at this stage.
It seems the time for Neto to move to Arsenal may have passed and of course the Gunners still need to find a longer term solution to their Pepe conundrum.
