Sources: Man City exit to trigger Pedro Neto move as reality of fee revealed

Manchester City are increasingly likely to move for Chelsea winger Pedro Neto if Savinho departs this summer, sources have told Football Insider. 

The Brazilian has fallen out of favour at the Etihad Stadium in the last 12 months and is being heavily linked with a move away before the 3 September transfer deadline. 

City have been anticipating the wideman’s exit for some time, and are ready to make a move for Neto when his departure progresses. 

Chelsea are holding out for a fee of £70million for the Portuguese international, but sources say that City view that as decent value in today’s market. 

Neto ticks the box for the Citizens of being proven in the Premier League, having ended last season with five goals and six assists to his name in the league. 

They are keen to help Enzo Maresca mould the squad in his image after Pep Guardiola’s exit, and the new boss has already worked with Neto previously. 

Pedro Neto to Man City ‘one to watch’

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider earlier this week that Neto’s potential move to the Etihad is “one to watch” in the final month of the window. 

The ex-recruitment man made it clear that Chelsea are “not ruling out selling anyone” this summer, as they continue to search for ways to balance their books.

Neto is not one of their top candidates for an exit in the coming weeks, but the West Londoners would entertain a sale if the money was right. 

They are reluctant to lose the former Wolves man, but also know that they will need funds for further additions to Xabi Alonso’s squad. 

Brown believes that Neto would provide an “upgrade” on some of City’s current options in the wide areas, and has emphasised that a deal could happen in the coming weeks.

At £70m, Neto would not be a cheap acquisition for the Manchester outfit, but they are also expecting exits of their own before the deadline.

Man City insider believes Savinho exit is already sealed

Former City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider at the end of June that he wouldn’t be surprised if his former club have “already done” a deal to sell Savinho behind the scenes.

Tottenham have pursued the ex-Girona man continually in the last 12 months, and Borson believes that it is in City’s interests to cash in for a fee in the region of the £60m mark.

The football finance expert outlined that City need to balance their SCR standing and wage bill, and added that Savinho’s exit is effectively all-but-done. 

He impressed with eight assists in the Premier League back in 2024-25, but struggled for both form and game time last term.