Chelsea winger Pedro Neto among names on Manchester City’s radar as they formulate list of wing targets – Papers Talk – Sky Sports

Manchester City’s summer rebuild is taking shape around a clear blueprint: wingers. After shipping out Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez, and with Phil Foden’s future uncertain, the champions are compiling a shortlist of direct replacements. According to Sky Sports, Pedro Neto of Chelsea is among the primary targets, while Spurs’ Savinho remains a late push from north London. The race for elite wide talent has intensified as City prepare for a potential title defence without a settled front three.

Why Neto fits City’s profile

Neto, 24, offers a blend of creativity and end product that City have lacked since Mahrez’s departure. His ability to drift inside and combine in half-spaces would complement Erling Haaland’s movement, while his direct dribbling provides an alternative to the positional play that has dominated Guardiola’s tenure. Chelsea’s financial constraints under new ownership have made the Portugal international a realistic option, though City would need to move quickly before other suitors—Arsenal and Liverpool among them—finalise their own wide departures.

The Blues’ ongoing overhaul under Enzo Maresca has already seen four players released in the first weeks, including Kai Havertz and Conor Gallagher, signalling a clearout that could extend to Neto. With Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling entering the final year of their contracts, Chelsea may opt to cash in on a high-value asset rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer.

Savinho’s Spurs still lurk

While Neto tops City’s list, Tottenham have not abandoned their pursuit of Savinho. The Brazilian, 20, remains a Spurs target despite their record spending this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. Last season, Savinho expressed a desire to join Spurs, and the club’s willingness to meet a £60m valuation keeps the door ajar. For City, the competition underscores the scarcity of elite wingers this window—every club with Champions League ambitions is chasing the same profile.

Spurs’ interest also highlights a broader trend: the Premier League’s top sides are prioritising wide players who can operate as either wingers or false nines. Liverpool’s pursuit of Bradley Barcola, who is also linked with Arsenal, exemplifies this shift. The Frenchman’s pace and directness would add another dimension to Klopp’s attack, while Arsenal’s potential move for Bruno Guimarães—despite Newcastle’s public stance—shows how midfield options are being re-evaluated in the context of wide recruitment.

Grealish’s Villa return fades

City’s wing hunt comes as Jack Grealish’s hopes of a dream Aston Villa return appear to be fading. The England international spent last season on loan at Everton, regaining form with six assists in 22 games before a stress fracture in his foot derailed his momentum. Villa’s loan signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Chelsea, with an obligation to buy clause, complicates Grealish’s path back to Birmingham. The 30-year-old now faces a choice: fight for minutes under Enzo Maresca or seek a permanent exit.

Grealish’s Villa ties run deep—he joined the club at six, captained them back to the Premier League in 2019, and remains a fan favourite. Yet City’s squad overhaul, combined with Villa’s own ambitions, makes a reunion unlikely. As former teammate Robert Snodgrass noted, the opportunity may simply not exist: “You just never know what a club like that might be planning.”

Tactical implications for City’s frontline

City’s wing dilemma is not just about replacing Mahrez. It’s about reshaping their attack for a post-Foden era. Haaland’s reliance on cutbacks and second-line runs demands a winger who can stretch play horizontally, while the absence of Alvarez’s mobility leaves a void in transitional moments. Neto’s profile—comfortable on either flank and capable of playing off the shoulder—would allow Guardiola to rotate formations without sacrificing structure.

If City pursue Neto, they would join a crowded market. Arsenal’s interest in Barcola and Guimarães’ situation at Newcastle suggest a domino effect: one move triggers another. Chelsea’s potential sale of Neto could fund a rebuild around Palmer and Sterling, while Spurs’ Savinho pursuit risks derailing their own squad planning. The coming weeks will determine whether City can secure their preferred wide option or if they’ll need to adapt their system around the players they can attract.

One thing is clear: the next three transfer windows will hinge on how these wing battles are resolved. For City, the stakes are simple—maintain their attacking edge or risk a season of transition.

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