Pedro Neto is set to be the subject of transfer speculation this summer – and there is one thing about the Wolves winger that is likely to be mentioned a lot.
Neto has been a shining light this term for Wanderers, making 23 appearances and scoring three goals and making 11 assists.
The electric Portugal international has unfortunately struggled with injuries again though.
Earlier in the season he sustained a hamstring injury that put him on the sidelines for around two months. Now, Neto is looking at another potential period on the sidelines, after he was withdrawn with another hamstring issue against Fulham.
This follows the player sustaining a fractured patella a few years ago, and he also damaged ankle ligaments in Bruno Lage’s final game in charge in the 2022/23 season.
Yesterday on the E&S podcast, there was some talk about Neto’s injury record and whether it could affect his market value…
Pedro Neto market value could be affected by his injury record, but Wolves to stand firm
Neto has been outstanding this season for Wolves when he has played.
Whenever he has stepped out onto the pitch, he has always looked a huge threat, and his pace and dribbling are massive weapons.
We already know that plenty of clubs are interested in him, with a report emerging last week that the Premier League’s top two teams Manchester City and Liverpool are both keen.
But Neto’s record with injuries is not the greatest, and some have been wondering whether it could end up costing Wolves a lot of money.
But journalist Liam Keen doesn’t see it that way. He said on the latest E&S podcast: “From a Wolves point of view, for the supporters, they’ll be pleased to keep Pedro Neto by and large I’m sure.
“But where Wolves are at, they’re not in a position where they’re forced to sell, but if they want to more heavily reinvest in the squad, then they would need to generate some money to do that, and they’d like to do that with one or two big sales, rather than with three, four, five, or six smaller sales. Pedro Neto has to be in that conversation as a player who is worth the kind of money that is going to help Wolves reinvest.
“It (the injury record) will potentially impact his price and where Wolves are at. It has to be seen as a risk, there’s no other way around it. We described his injury issues over the last two or three seasons, and those come back to haunt you, despite how good a player he is.
“It will be interesting to see whether Wolves budge on their price. I very much doubt it, considering they don’t have to sell or want to sell. But they will if it allows them to reinvest.”
Wolves must demand a huge fee
Even though Neto doesn’t have the best injury record, Wolves must still demand an absolutely huge fee for the player this summer.
The club will not be under financial pressure to sell, although we know that Fosun are looking for the club to become self-sustaining and that there is a desire to make as few sales as possible.
But Neto is a hugely talented player with a lot of developing still to do.
Given how much interest there is in him, Wolves should not be afraid to demand a huge fee. The £80 million price tag that was reported last month seems relatively fair.