Arsenal revisiting failed transfer in January off the table after surgery confirmation

Posted Sunday, October 09, 2022 by Express.co.uk

Mikel Arteta's transfer options have been whittled down with a key Arsenal target set for a spell on the sidelines.

Arsenal have been dealt a blow regarding their hopes of reigniting transfer interest in Wolves star Pedro Neto, with the winger set to undergo surgery on an ankle injury. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is believed to be a big fan of the Portuguese but he may have to look elsewhere if boosting his wide options remains a high priority in January.

Neto was thought to be towards the top of Arsenal's wish list over the summer as Arteta sought to refresh his squad. Big-money flop Nicolas Pepe headed to Nice on loan, freeing up a vacancy out wide, but Mohamed Elneny's injury forced them to search for a new midfielder instead.

Salt was rubbed into the wounds when their late approaches for Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz were rejected and the Gunners had to go without on both fronts. It remains to be seen how Arsenal's plan of action shapes up in January, but a move for Neto would appear to be off the cards.

Wolves have confirmed that the 22-year-old is due to undergo surgery for a devastating ankle ligament injury picked up in a 2-0 defeat to West Ham last Saturday.

Arsenal revisiting failed transfer in January off the table after surgery confirmation
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal flirted with the idea of signing Pedro Neto during the summer (Image: GETTY)

In a crushing blow for the player himself, the injury means he is likely to be out of action until next year, leaving his chances of turning out for Portugal at the World Cup next month in tatters. Neto has only made three appearances for the national team but maintained faint hopes of being called up for the tournament in Qatar.

The youngster was thought to be keen on a switch to the Emirates over the summer but an asking price of £50million was enough to see them walk away. Injuries have devastated Neto's career over the past couple of years but interested parties need no reminding of the quality he showed after his breakthrough in 2019.