Manchester City sideline Neto deal: player closes in on Al-Hilal

Complex behind-the-scenes details

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has lifted the lid on the latest twist in the saga linking Chelsea winger Pedro Neto with a summer switch to Saudi giants Al-Hilal.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: "Pedro Neto is highly regarded by Manchester City, but at the moment City feel that the financial valuation set by Chelsea for the player is too high. Therefore, his move to the Etihad is complicated at present."

He added: "Manchester City have spoken with Pedro Neto's agent, but there is no progress in the deal because the financial valuation set by Chelsea is too high."

On the winger's next step, he continued: "Regarding Pedro Neto's future, I will be watching two solutions: the first, which is the most likely, could be his move to Al-Hilal, because the Saudi side is about to bid farewell to Malcom."

Romano went on: "Malcom scored a goal in the first round with Al-Hilal, but he is expected to leave in the coming hours to another Saudi club, Al-Ahli. Therefore, Pedro Neto is certainly a target for Al-Hilal."

Turning to Malcom's options, he said: "There is another possibility for Malcom's future, which is Tottenham, but as for Tottenham, I always repeat to you that the main aim is to sign Savinho and Jacobo, in addition to an out-and-out striker."

He concluded: "This is Tottenham's plan, and therefore Pedro Neto is a back-up option in case anything happens with Savinho or Jacobo, as Pedro Neto would be an alternative, but he is not the top priority."