Talks currently ongoing”- Spurs intensify pursuit of £50k-p/w “monster” who is more deadly than Kulusevski and could give Tottenham a perfecz start in the Premier League
The Premier League is just over two weeks away, and while Tottenham Hotspur have shown promise in their pre-season matches, there is still a pressing need for the squad to be bolstered. Manager Ange Postecoglou aims to elevate the team’s standings this season, but to do so, additional reinforcements are necessary. This summer, the club has been linked with a variety of talented players, including Eberechi Eze and Jonathan David. However, so far, the only new additions to the squad have been Archie Gray and Yang Min-Hyeok. Recent reports, however, suggest that this situation may soon change as the club is making headway in securing a highly skilled attacker often compared to Dejan Kulusevski.
Tottenham Hotspur Transfer News
According to a recent report from Football Transfers, Tottenham Hotspur have not only maintained their interest in Pedro Neto but have also ‘intensified their efforts’ to sign the winger this summer. The report indicates that Spurs have engaged in further discussions with Neto, who remains a top target for Postecoglou.
While the report does not specify a potential fee for the £50k-per-week star, earlier reports this month suggest that Neto’s transfer could cost between £50m and £60m. From a financial standpoint, this might seem a steep price for Spurs, but considering Neto’s talent, it could be a worthwhile investment. His comparison to Kulusevski adds to his allure but should not be the sole reason for the purchase.
Why Neto Would Be a Great Signing and His Comparison to Kulusevski
Before delving into Neto’s impressive performance stats and why he’d be an excellent fit for Spurs, it’s essential to understand the comparison to Dejan Kulusevski. This comparison, aside from their obvious positional similarity, comes from FBref’s analysis. FBref compared all attacking midfielders and wingers from the 2022/23 Premier League season, creating a list of the ten most comparable players for each one, and concluded that Kulusevski was the most similar to Neto in the entire competition that year.
This conclusion was drawn by examining various underlying statistics and comparing their rankings in several key metrics, including non-penalty expected goals plus assists, progressive carries, passing accuracy, crosses into the penalty area, through balls, goal-creating actions, tackles won, clearances, and carries per 90 minutes. While this comparison is a nice bonus and an interesting angle, Tottenham’s decision to sign Neto will be based on his performance and potential.
In the 2022/23 season, Neto made 24 appearances for Wolves, during which he scored three goals and provided 11 assists, averaging a goal involvement every 1.71 games. This tally of 14 goal contributions would have made him the fourth most productive Spurs player last season, despite his limited game time. However, there is a notable concern regarding his fitness. Neto missed 23 games last season due to injury, which is a significant factor to consider. Nevertheless, with the depth of talent available at Tottenham, Neto could receive more rest, potentially reducing his injury risk.
Ultimately, Pedro Neto is an undeniably talented player who has the potential to shine in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur. While his transfer fee and injury history are considerations, the potential benefits he brings could outweigh these concerns. Therefore, Tottenham should push forward with the signing, as it could be a strategic move that pays off significantly.
