Manchester City have been linked with both Pedro Neto and Jack Grealish in recent months but who would be the better addition to Pep Guardiola’s side?
Who would you rather City sign?
Neto
Grealish
Jack Grealish
According to the Daily Mail, City are favourites to sign the £100 million-rated Aston Villa captain this summer after his hugely impressive performances in Dean Smith’s side so far this season.
The 25-year-old has contributed six goals and 10 assists in 22 top-flight appearances so far this season, averaging a superb 7.73 rating – which sees him ranked as the second-best performer in the whole of the Premier League.
His performances over the past two seasons in the top-flight have seen him called up to the England squad, and after making his debut in September 2020, he has now earned five caps under Gareth Southgate.
Although there is no doubting his quality, Villa would undoubtedly demand a huge fee for Grealish, especially after he signed a new five-year contract with the Birmingham-based club ahead of the season.
Pedro Neto
According to journalist Duncan Castles on the Transfer Window podcast, both Manchester City and Manchester United are considering a move for the 21-year-old this summer after his excellent performances for Wolves.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have struggled in the absence of Raul Jimenez this season but have been aided by the excellent performances of Neto, who has contributed five goals and five assists in 29 appearances, resulting in an impressive 7.13 average rating.
The Portuguese international is now rated at £31.5 million by Transfermarkt, although with his Wolves contract running until 2025, you would perhaps expect the Old Gold to also demand a hefty fee for the former Lazio man.
Pundit Adrian Clarke certainly rates the winger highly, as he sang his praises earlier in the season, saying:
“I love Neto. I think Neto is destined to be a Champions League player in the not too distant future. I think they’ll do really well to hang on to him. You forget how young he is. He’s brilliant.”
Who would be the best option?
Although Grealish has arguably been the better performer this season and has the advantage of being homegrown, we feel that Neto would be the better long-term signing in Guardiola’s side as he is younger, would presumably cost less and possesses more pace than the Villa captain, so would be more useful as a counter-attacking winger at City in the mould of Leroy Sane or Raheem Sterling.
Therefore, Txiki Begiristain should consider bringing the Wolves man to the Etihad this summer, as it seems that he is destined for the top and he could become world-class under Guardiola.
And, in other news… Pep set for huge boost with “incredible” £90m-rated gem amid Romano claim