Chelsea ‘make surprise Pedro Neto transfer plan’ as Barcelona ready swoop
Chelsea have no plans to let Pedro Neto leave any time soon and will turn down any offers despite whispers about potential interest from Barcelona.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that he would be “very surprised” if Enzo Maresca allowed the 25-year-old to leave.
Neto has been key to Maresca’s success so far this season and has already made 17 appearances across all competitions, picking up four goals and two assists in the process.
Those performances have garnered him plenty of praise from across the game, as his former Wolves boss Gary O’Neil has been stunned by Neto’s displays.
While those performances have also earned him links with moves to the likes of Barcelona, he is under contract at Chelsea until 2031 and there are no plans to let him go.
Barcelona to be blocked in their pursuit of Pedro Neto
Neto is one of a number of big-name Premier League stars linked with a move to Barcelona in recent weeks, as Hansi Flick is keen to bolster his squad further.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the Spanish giants are likely to miss out on the Chelsea winger, however, due to his importance in West London.
“It’s been difficult to predict what Chelsea are going to do,” he told Football Insider.
“They’ve spent big on a number of new players there, and had some big sales too, but I think the manager finally has an idea of what his starting XI looks like.
“Pedro Neto is a key part of that, and he’s been very, very influential for Chelsea so far this season.
“He’s busy, he’s bright, he’s creative and he’s destructive. He’s added goals to his game now and he’s made a major impact going forward.
“So he’s a very important player for Enzo Maresca and one who I would be very surprised if they let him go.
“I’ve heard talk that Barcelona might be looking at him or whoever else, but as far as Chelsea are concerned, he’s still a very important part of their plans.
“It would have to be a big, big offer for him and even then I’m not sure they’d let him go.
“Of course there will be players in that squad who they look to move on, it’s how they operate at Chelsea, but by all accounts Neto will not be one of them.”
Chelsea make January transfer plan
Despite speculation surrounding potential departures ahead of the January transfer window, plans are being put in place to add to Maresca’s squad.
Football Insider revealed in September that Chelsea are working to sign a new centre-back, with the position becoming a priority due to their leaky back line.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider in September that Chelsea have “no chance” of competing with Arsenal due to their ongoing defensive issues.
As a result, Brown told Football Insider on 26 November that Chelsea want to sign Nottingham Forest’s Murillo should he become available in the January window.
Chelsea have been keeping tabs on the Brazil international for over a year now, having initially tried to sign him last January, and are prepared to step up their interest once again.
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