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Arsenal transfer news: Pedro Neto fate sealed, as Wolves adopt emphatic stance to spark late scramble

Wolves winger Pedro Neto

Wolves have emphatically ended Arsenal’s pursuit of Pedro Neto, with that dead end poised to spark a last ditch scramble for an alternative target, per reports.

Arsenal are pushing to offload £72m winger Nicolas Pepe before the September 1 deadline. The Ivory Coast international, 27, is out of favour at the Emirates and a return to France is shaping up.

Indeed, Ligue 1 side Nice are chasing a season-long loan deal. Sky Sports later claimed the Gunners want a sizeable loan fee, though it’s not expected an option or obligation to buy will be included.

Should Arsenal succeed in moving Pepe on, the Athletic reported they’ll then target a significant late-window splash.

Arsenal want another winger to compliment their forward ranks, though they’re not content with adding any old option.

Indeed, they’re seeking someone who could make an immediate and tangible impact in the first-team from day one. One such player who’d fit that bill is Wolves Pedro Neto.

Talk of a £50m bid has pervaded the media. However, Wolves boss, Bruno Lage, recently denied such an offer had been received.

Pedro Neto fate sealed

In any case, 22-year-old Portugal international Neto does appear to be on Arsenal’s radar. What’s more, the Gunners may be able to satisfy Neto’s Champions League ambitions as early as next season if their start this year is anything to go by.

However, according to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, Neto to Arsenal is a non-starter.

Via Sport Witness, it’s claimed the Portuguese newspaper have been reliably informed Wolves have ‘absolutely no intention’ of selling Neto this summer.

The door to a transfer is described as ‘closed’, and with Neto’s contract running until 2027, Wolves are under zero pressure to sell.

Who do Arsenal turn to next?

The idea of Arsenal signing a new winger this summer isn’t a new one. Indeed, they bid for Leeds ace Raphinha earlier in the window, though ultimately saw Barcelona scupper their plans.

With Neto also now apparently out of the equation, Arsenal will either need to reignite an old flame, or target an entirely new face with just over one week left in the window.

They had drawn links with Villarreal’s Yeremi Pino and PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo in previous weeks.

Gakpo could be available for as little as £35m. The Dutch international’s future is due to come to a head after their Champions League fate is determined tonight. They face Rangers in the second leg of the play-off round with the scores tied 2-2 after the first leg.

Gakpo has reportedly agreed personal terms with Manchester United, though Erik ten Hag’s primary target remains Antony. If the Red Devils do poach another Ajax star, the door could be left ajar for Arsenal to sign Gakpo.

Alternatively, they could revisit a move for a player they tried to sign way back in 2019 – Wilfried Zaha.

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