One Premier League player who’s been linked with a move to Liverpool has made an emphatic statement about his immediate future.
The Reds have reportedly discussed Pedro Neto with his agents. Wolves value him at £60m, but his manager, Gary O’Neil, stated this week that the club wouldn’t prevent the 24-year-old from leaving if he decided to move on.
It appears the Molineux club needn’t be concerned about this, based on a 17-word reply from the Portuguese forward when asked by a journalist if he would remain with the Old Gold for the upcoming season.
Footballers often publicly affirm their commitment to their current club amid transfer speculation to avoid fueling rumors. However, the true test will be where Neto ends up at the end of August, not now.
In theory, Neto could be a long-term replacement for Mo Salah on Liverpool’s right flank. At 24, he is nearing his peak years and has significant Premier League experience from his five years at Wolves.
With just 14 goals in 135 appearances for Wolves, Neto’s record doesn’t indicate he would match Mo Salah’s extraordinary standards, nor does it seem to justify a £60m price tag, despite his other talents.
If Liverpool acquires Anthony Gordon from Newcastle this month without any senior forwards leaving, it seems unlikely they would also pursue Neto.
For now, it’s likely Neto will stay at Wolves for a few more months, though past transfer windows have shown that surprises can happen.
