One of Newcastle’s top targets this summer is Wolves’ winger Pedro Neto, but signing the Portugal international carries some risks.
The Magpies aim to add a right-sided forward ahead of the new season, working with a £100 million transfer budget. Most of this budget is expected to be spent on a winger. Although Jarrod Bowen and Michael Olise have been linked, Bowen is not joining, and Olise has already moved to Bayern Munich.
Pedro Neto is another option Newcastle is considering, with Wolves valuing him at £60 million. While Neto is more likely to join than Bowen, his injury history has raised concerns among Newcastle officials. Without these injury worries, Neto would be an ideal addition to Eddie Howe’s squad.
**Pedro Neto’s Attributes**
In the 2023/24 season, Neto had 13 goal involvements, primarily assists, with 11 assists helping his teammates. Despite playing in a Wolves team that struggled offensively, Neto showcased strong attacking data. Wolves had the fifth-lowest goal tally with 50 goals and the fourth-worst expected goals (47.21 xG). Despite this, Neto managed to provide 38 key passes and create eight big chances.
At Newcastle, Neto could thrive with more attacking freedom and supportive tactics.
**Newcastle Can Unlock His Potential**
For Newcastle, Neto would bring unique qualities that the current wingers lack. While the team didn’t struggle with creating chances last season, creativity was concentrated around a few players. Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, and Anthony Gordon contributed 43.3% of the team’s 424 key passes. This reliance on a few players means that if they are marked out or injured, the squad suffers.
Neto could relieve some of this pressure with his creativity. Unlike Harvey Barnes, who is a clinical finisher, or Anthony Gordon, who is an all-rounder, Neto offers a different tactical approach. His addition would also enhance squad depth, allowing for player rotation and reducing injury risks.
**History of Significant Injury Problems**
The major concern with signing Pedro Neto is his history of serious injuries. In the 2021/22 season, he suffered a significant patella injury, leading to ongoing issues. Before this, Neto had missed only 24 games due to minor injuries. However, since then, he has struggled with availability.
Neto missed 297 days in the 2021/22 season, 127 days due to an ankle injury in the 2022/23 season, and another 125 days with a recurrent hamstring injury in the 2023/24 season, missing 23 games.
If Newcastle proceeds with the purchase, they will be taking a substantial risk, as Neto has not yet proven his ability to remain consistently available. While Neto’s talent is undeniable, his frequent absences could strain the club’s resources.
