Manchester City are unwilling to meet Chelsea’s demand in their pursuit of Pedro Neto after showing interest in the winger.
The Cityzens have emerged as unexpected admirers of Neto, joining Arsenal in the competition for the Portugal international.
City’s interest in Neto is believed to be motivated by manager, Enzo Maresca, who previously managed the player during his short tenure as head coach at Stamford Bridge.
As per Fabrizio Romano, Maresca is eager to acquire Neto as a possible substitute for Savinho, who is on the verge of transferring to Tottenham Hotspur. Although Chelsea aims to retain Neto, they are not entirely dismissing the possibility of his transfer.
However, discussions regarding a transfer have now reached a standstill, with Romano indicating that there exists a “significant gap” between Manchester City’s proposed offer and Chelsea’s valuation.
The journalist further noted that Chelsea is not in a hurry to part with the winger, as they believe he could play a crucial role under their new manager, Xabi Alonso.
The fact that Chelsea “does not intend to lower their demands” suggests that a potential move to the Etihad Stadium for Neto is currently unlikely.
It remains uncertain whether Manchester City will enhance their offer, but any such development could create an opportunity for Arsenal, who are actively seeking a left winger.
The West London club acquired Neto for a total package of £54 million, and his current market value is estimated at €60 million, according to Transfermarkt.