Pedro Neto has reportedly emerged as a 'priority' target for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta this week, but the Gunners' interest in the Portuguese winger far predates the current Emirates chief.
Arsenal have spent significantly again this summer as they bid to wrestle their way back into the Premier League's top-four, but there is still scope for more deals to be done, with Arteta intent on acquiring the services of a new winger before the September 1 deadline.
A host of wide players have been linked to the Gunners in recent weeks, but according to The Athletic, Neto is the player that Arteta is determined to land before the summer transfer window slams shut. And Arteta will be hoping that he land the sought-after 22-year-old, who was originally on Arsenal's radar long before he joined Wolves back in the summer of 2019.
Neto was identified as a target during Arsene Wenger's legendary tenure after the Frenchman watched the youngster progress through the ranks at Braga. After starring for Portugal at youth level, Neto became the Primeira League's youngest ever scorer when he netted just minutes into his senior debut for Braga as a teenager.
But it wasn't just Arsenal who were mulling over a move - the vultures were already circling around the attacking prodigy. Other Premier League sides, including Manchester United, were keeping tabs on his development, while European giants like Barcelona and Monaco were also ready to rival Wenger in the race for Neto.
Although Wenger was an avid admirer and was prepared to push ahead with a swoop, it was Lazio who ended up winning the race for Neto's services when they struck a double deal to take the winger and his Braga teammate, Bruno Jordao on loan.
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However, Neto's stint in Italy was not a fruitful one. After making just four appearances, the forward was lured to Molinuex, where he has flourished since.
The fleet-footed winger has clocked up 11 goals and 12 assists during his 95 appearances since making the move to England. And it transpires that his displays both before and after a serious knee injury have attracted admiring glances from north London again.
Neto would represent the final piece in the jigsaw for Arteta, but he could be left disappointed in his bid to lure the Wolves man to Arsenal - just like Wenger.
Wolves are in a strong bargaining position after tying Neto down to a bumper new deal back in March and are not inclined to sell after raking in £42million from the sale of Morgan Gibbs-White earlier this month.
And Bruno Lage played down talk of cashing in on Neto, who has made a bright start to the season after a lengthy injury lay-off, despite the fact that Arsenal have rekindled their interest.
“I have heard that but nothing has come to us,” said Lage on Tuesday. “It’s normal now, with the good players that we have. Teams are looking for good players in the same way we are looking for (Goncalo) Guedes, Matheus (Nunes), (Nathan) Collins. No one told me anything about any proposal.”
