Manchester City and Liverpool to do battle over £60 million-rated Pedro Neto – Paper Round

Manchester City and Liverpool are set to battle it out for Wolves forward Pedro Neto, who would cost over £60 million, it has been claimed.

Neto, 24, has stood out for Gary O’Neil’s side so far this season, registering nine assists and helping his side into a top-half position.

“Neto is expected to be subject of intense interest from several Premier League clubs following his progression since arriving from Braga in 2019, with his fee set to be upward of £60 million.

“It is understood that City and Liverpool are among those who are watching the 24-year-old, although he has also been on the radar of others who are looking to bolster their attack with a proven forward.

“Arsenal have previously had their sights on Neto, two seasons ago, but Wolves were in a strong position with their player having signed a long-term contract until 2027 and his club having no intention to sell.

“At City he is rated highly by the scouting team at the Etihad Stadium, having moved for Neto’s former team-mate Matheus Nunes last summer. Liverpool had success in the market when they moved for Diogo Jota, although their situation is complicated as they are in the middle of the process of appointing a sporting director and will have a new manager next season.”

Brentford may have to lower their asking price for their star striker Ivan Toney, who has little over 12 months left on his current deal.

Toney has reportedly attracted the interest of Arsenal and Chelsea, but according to a report in The Mirror, both are struggling to justify meeting the £100m value the Bees are said to be asking for.

“Mikel Arteta’s side had been showing strong interest in the England international ahead of the winter transfer window but the Gunners were later hamstrung by financial restrictions due to Premier League PSR rules.

“Since then, Toney has returned to action with the Bees following his eight-month betting ban but the landscape has drastically changed as potential alternative striker targets such as Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko have impressed club scouts.

“Thomas Frank, who recently conceded that Toney is poised to leave the club this summer, previously claimed Brentford valued their talisman at £100 million, however, he is due to enter the final 12 months of his current deal in west London this July.

“Meanwhile, Chelsea’s hierarchy are thought to be split on the 27-year-old as they would prefer to sign a younger centre-forward with higher potential. The Blues must also be cautious of PSR rules after recording a £90m loss in their 2022/23 financial records that were published earlier this week.

“Chelsea will do everything they can to ensure they remain compliant, even if that means missing out on top striker target Victor Osimhen. But when it comes to Toney, sources suggest Brentford will now have to soften their stance over a fee to get top clubs talking with £60m deemed a more realistic transfer valuation.

“Toney favours a move to Arsenal but the Gunners intend to carry out due diligence on a number of targets with Osimhen and Joshua Zirkzee also expected to form part of their thinking, amongst others.”

Kobbie Mainoo could be set to earn a new deal which would see him earning £60,000-a-week salary at Manchester United.

The 18-year-old has established himself as a regular at Old Trafford this season and the hierarchy are now said to be considering offering the teenager a new contract.

The Sun writes: “Kobbie Mainoo is in line for a treble-your-money pay rise – less than a year after he signed a new deal.

“Manchester United plan to tear up the deal he signed earlier this season and hand him a £60,000-a-week contract.

“Mainoo, 18, is already tied down until 2027, with United having the option of a further year beyond that.

“His pay rocketed to a weekly £20,000 when his first-team appearances hit double figures a couple of months ago, as part of an agreement rewarding his rocket rise.

“But United have already made up their minds about the teenager who has been the shining light in a disappointing season.

“And talks opened earlier this month about fresh terms that would see the young midfielder put out of bounds until June 2030.”