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Manchester City have reportedly opened discussions with the representatives of Chelsea winger Pedro Neto regarding a potential reunion with Enzo Maresca.
Neto has delivered inconsistent performances since his $65.5 million move to Stamford Bridge in 2024, with bright spells frequently giving way to extended quiet periods. Although he netted 13 goals and provided 10 assists last season (including the Club World Cup), he failed to find the net for Chelsea following a hat trick against Hull City in the FA Cup in mid-February.
His patchy record hasn't put off his former Chelsea boss Maresca, however, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the Italian's new side Man City are in "direct contact" with the player's representatives over a potential summer move to the Etihad Stadium.
Any transfer could depend on a number of factors, including whether Savinho departs City amid reported interest from Tottenham Hotspur—who Romano also names as potential suitors for Neto. Chelsea's asking price for the winger will also play a significant role in determining whether a deal gets done.
With Chelsea not actively seeking to offload the 26-year-old, a substantial offer would likely be needed to persuade them to sanction a sale. Having signed him just two summers ago, they will be keen to turn a profit on the deal.
Should Chelsea Consider Neto Sale?
Squad depth is hardly a concern for Chelsea in the wide attacking positions. The club has been accumulating talented forwards ever since BlueCo took ownership, building an impressive collection even after the recent exits of Alejandro Garnacho to Aston Villa and Tyrique George to Everton.
Chelsea have already secured the versatile Morgan Rogers for a club-record fee, while teenage sensation Geovany Quenda has officially completed his move from Sporting CP. The pair join a stacked squad that already includes Estêvão, Jamie Gittens, Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk—the latter having recently returned to the pitch following the lifting of his doping suspension.
Neto may not be essential to Chelsea's plans, but the club should think carefully before parting with such a direct and adaptable attacker. Only Enzo Fernández created more chances than his tally of 53 and posted a higher expected assists figure in the Premier League last season, while no one surpassed his 12 big chances created. His explosive pace can also cause serious problems for deep-sitting opposition backlines.
Xabi Alonso will be keen to properly evaluate Neto before reaching any conclusion about his future. Having returned late to preseason after his World Cup involvement with Portugal, he is yet to feature under Chelsea's new head coach.
Do Man City Really Need Neto?
Much like Chelsea, last season's domestic cup champions are far from lacking in quality attacking options out wide. Even if Savinho were to depart for Spurs, Maresca would still have plenty of talent to call upon.
Jérémy Doku enjoyed the finest season of his City career in 2025–26, while the mid-season acquisition of Antoine Semenyo proved to be a game-changer. Omar Marmoush, Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden have all been deployed in wide roles across recent campaigns, and summer recruit Jeremy Monga could offer backup cover despite being only 17 years of age.
That said, Savinho's departure would leave Maresca with a limited number of natural wide players. Beyond the Brazilian, only Doku and Semenyo are true out-and-out wingers from the group mentioned above.
Neto would represent a costly addition, but potentially a necessary one funded through player sales. Maresca is well aware of what he brings to the table.
"He's top, he's very humble and working hard," Maresca said of Neto last October while still in charge at Chelsea. "He's a very important player for us, and we are very happy with Pedro."