Wolves 'reach agreement' with Chelsea over £54m transfer as Gary O'Neil lines up replacement

The Blues have reached an agreement with Wolves to sign Neto for £51.4 million plus £2.6 million in add-ons, according to The Athletic. The Portuguese winger is set to undergo medical tests shortly before sealing his move from Molineux to Stamford Bridge.

Our sister publication, Express & Star, reports Tottenham Hotspur made an attempt to sign Neto but failed, seeing a cash-plus-player offer rejected. Oliver Skipp was included in the proposal but the Old Gold preferred Chelsea’s offer of straight cash.

Neto was one of Wolves’ best players in 2023/24, even despite not featuring for much of the campaign. The 24-year-old scored two goals and made an impressive nine assists in 20 Premier League appearances. He particularly impressed in the 4-3 home defeat to Manchester United in February as he scored a goal and took home the man of the match award.

Three times an appearance maker at UEFA EURO 2024 in Germany, Neto is a regular starter for the Portugal national team. Wolves are set to make a hefty profit from the winger as the Old Gold paid just £15.3 million to sign him from Lazio in 2019, as per Transfermarkt.

Transfer news journalist Fabrizio Romano reports Wolves have already lined up a potential replacement for Neto. It’s claimed Wanderers have added Ajax winger Carlos Forbs to their shortlist as they explore their options amid Neto’s imminent exit.

Forbs, a four-time Portugal Under-21 international, featured 21 times in the Dutch Eredivisie last campaign, contributing two goals and four assists. The 21-year-old was part of the Manchester City youth setup beforehand, where he racked up an incredible 50 goals and 36 assists in 72 matches.