Transfer rumour · archive

Pedro Neto to Al Hilal

This move fell through. Last report: Ben Jacobs, 23 August 2026.

Al Hilal are exploring a move for Pedro Neto, Chelsea's 26-year-old Portuguese winger, but the deal is well short of concrete. No formal bid has been tabled. Chelsea are holding firm at close to €118m, a valuation that has stopped talks in their tracks, and Neto himself has reservations about the move. He featured from the start against Real Sociedad last weekend, while several teammates more actively seeking exits were left out entirely. The story is well sourced. Ben Jacobs confirmed on 23 August that Chelsea's valuation has produced no breakthrough. Fabrizio Romano flagged Neto as one of several options on Al Hilal's shortlist, with two other targets also in the frame, and noted that Manchester City made contact weeks ago but walked away on price. Nizaar Kinsella established Chelsea's €118m asking price. Three credible voices, all pointing in the same direction. This is against the odds to complete. Chelsea will not discount to €60m or anywhere near it; the gap between what Al Hilal are willing to spend and what Chelsea demand is substantial. Neto is not pushing to leave, which removes the pressure that tends to unlock reluctant sellers. For this to happen, Al Hilal would need to close a very wide fee gap, and Neto would need to change his mind entirely. Chelsea's record of selling players at significant fees offers context. They moved players to Arsenal for €75m and to Manchester United for €68m, both in 2023. A €118m demand for a 26-year-old winger under contract until 2031 is a step above that band, and Al Hilal have not yet shown they will meet it. Watch for a formal

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