Wolves looking to sign ex-Manchester City youngster as a potential replacement for Chelsea-bound Pedro Neto: Reports
Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly eyeing a move for former Manchester City youth graduate Carlos Forbs as the potential replacement for Chelsea-bound Pedro Neto. As reported by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the Midlands club are exploring options as they are braced to lose Neto.
Chelsea reportedly agreed on a deal worth almost £54 million with Wolves for Pedro Neto as reported by BBC on Friday, August 9. With Neto's acquisition, the Blues are set to take their spending spree beyond £200 million again this summer.
Enzo Maresca has already welcomed nine new players at Stamford Bridge this summer, spending around £140 million in total. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Renato Veiga, Omari Kellyman, Filip Jorgensen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Aaron Anselmino, Caleb Wiley, Estevao Willian, and Marc Guiu have all joined Chelsea ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Apart from Neto, Chelsea are reportedly set to sign Genk goalkeeper Mike Penders in a deal worth £17 million. They are also reportedly ready to bring in highly-rated forward Samu Omorodion from Atletico Madrid for a reported £34.5 million fee.
Pedro Neto's addition will certainly bolster the Blues' attacking department, with the Portugal international enjoying his best season in a Wolves shirt last season. The 24-year-old scored three goals and provided 11 assists in 24 appearances across competitions in the 2023-24 season.
Neto's exit will create a major void at Wolves who are reportedly exploring the options to replace the Portugal international. They have seemingly set their sights on former Manchester City youngster Carlos Forbs who plays for Ajax.
The Portugal Under-21 international has made 35 appearances across competitions (three goals and five assists) for Ajax since joining the Eredivisie giants from Manchester City in 2023.
Jamie Carragher expresses concern regarding Enzo Maresca's future at Chelsea
Jamie Carragher has stated that he would be surprised to see Enzo Maresca remain in charge of Chelsea at the end of the season. The former Liverpool and England defender also pointed out that the Blues had a forgettable pre-season tour.
Carragher insisted Chelsea's problems could be doubled because of their opening Premier League fixture against Manchester City. He said on the Overlap on Sky Sports:
"The way Chełsea's pre-season has gone… they've got Man City first game of the season… I'll be surprised if Maresca is still the manager come the end of the season, very surprised. My worry for Chełsea is that Pochettino deserves a lot of credit for how Palmer performed last season. No one expected that, not even Pep, otherwise he wouldn't have sold him. So they might not have that Cole Palmer this season. I'm sure they will because I think he's fantastic but a new manager has come in so it's different."
Chelsea surprised many by deciding to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino at the end of the last season. While they endured a difficult campaign, a strong finish to the season saw them clinch the sixth spot.