Pedro Neto has welcomed talk over a move to Arsenal by stating that he ‘likes to hear’ he has admirers elsewhere.
The Portuguese winger has been linked with a late switch to the Emirates Stadium this summer with the Gunners ‘prioritising’ a move for his services between now and September’s deadline. It remains to be seen whether the Londoners will be able to seal a deal for the former Lazio starlet with Wolves understandably keen to hold onto one of their star assets.
He also penned a new five-year deal earlier this year to stay in the West Midlands. Amid interest in his services, Neto has suggested that he is flattered to hear rumours of interest elsewhere but insisted he is totally dedicated to his current employers.
As quoted by The Times, the winger said: “I always like to hear this sort of stuff but I’m focused on my job here because I’m feeling very good here. The things you hear makes you work even more, it’s good for you and your mentality to know people know your value."
Despite that, Neto has outlined ambitions to get the chance to star at the top table of European football - something that isn’t on offer at the Emirates Stadium at the current time after the Gunners missed out on Champions League football at the end of last season.
He continued: “The dream of any player is to play in the Champions League. I want to help this club to go higher and higher because I think we have that potential with the way we work, the way we sign players, the way we try to arrive there.
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“We were very close last year but it is missing something and that’s something we have to work out between us.”
Should Neto arrive at the Emirates Stadium over the next week, he would become the sixth summer signing. Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko have both enjoyed bright starts to life in North London - the former having two goals and three assists in his opening three Premier League games since a move from Manchester City.
Whilst Neto has been sounded out for a potential move before next week’s deadline, Leicester star Youri Tielemans could also be set for a move.
The Belgian midfielder has been linked with Arsenal all summer, with his current contract in the Midlands set to expire next summer.
As of yet, the Gunners are yet to lodge a bid for his services but Arteta remains a big admirer of the former AS Monaco man. Tielemans was left out of the Leicester starting line-up for their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Southampton at the weekend.
