Wolves head coach Gary O'Neil has confirmed Pedro Neto is set to complete a big-money move to Chelsea, describing the winger as "irreplaceable".
Neto has become a fan favourite throughout five years at Molineux, and a return of nine assists in just 20 Premier League outings made 2023-24 his finest season to date, despite two hamstring injuries limiting him to just 1,518 minutes.
Of the 11 players to better Neto's nine assists in the Premier League last term, only Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne – who recorded 10 assists in just 1,227 minutes – spent less time on the pitch than Neto.
Wolves are set to receive €60million (£51.4m) plus add-ons for Neto, but O'Neil does not believe it is possible for them to source a direct replacement.
Instead, after working to a tight budget as the club battled profit and sustainability concerns last season, O'Neil will use the funds to strengthen his squad as a whole.
"He's irreplaceable for a club like us at this moment," O'Neil told the Express & Star of Neto's departure.
"He's a top winger in world football and we knew it would be a challenge to keep him because of that. He was quite emotional as he's been here for a long time.
"Obviously his last few seasons have been hampered by injury, but when he's fit and free flowing there's not many like him in world football. I'm gutted to lose him.
"We're not going to go and sign another Pedro Neto, it's about using it well enough to replenish the squad in a few areas – a wide player being one."
Chelsea 1-1 Inter: Ugochukwu levels late on Maresca's SW6 debut
Lesley Ugochukwu struck late on for Chelsea as they claimed a 1-1 draw against Inter in their final pre-season fixture.
Marcus Thuram's first-half strike against the run of play gave the Serie A champions the lead, only for Ugochukwu to level in the 90th minute for the Blues.
Despite Chelsea dominating proceedings in the opening exchanges with Marc Guiu going close, Robert Sanchez was picking the ball out of his net in the 26th minute.
Joaquin Correa was given time to run at the Chelsea defence, picking out Thuram, who took the ball in his stride before firing a left-footed effort into the roof of the net.
Despite the hosts registering nine shots in the opening 45 minutes, they were unable to test Yann Sommer in the Inter goal as the Serie A champions led at the break.
Maresca rung the changes at the interval, with last season's top scorer Cole Palmer making his return to first-team action after his Euro 2024 campaign with England.
Levi Colwill struck the post early in the second period, before Christopher Nkunku's attempted bicycle kick produced a smart save from Sommer low to his right.
But the Blues' pressure would pay off in the closing stages, as Palmer's free-kick was headed kindly into the path of substitute Ugochukwu, who fired the ball home.
Data Debrief: Blues leave it late
Chelsea conclude their preparations for the new Premier League season having won just one of their six pre-season fixtures (two draws, three defeats), but there were plenty of positives to take from their showing in SW6.
The return of Palmer is a timely boost ahead of their fixture against Manchester City next week, but Maresca will want to see an improvement in front of goal.
Chelsea registered an expected goals (xG) total of 2.27 but could only net once, an underperformance of 1.27, with only seven of their 21 shots on target.
Sanchez returns to Udinese following Inter departure
Alexis Sanchez has signed a two-year deal to return to Udinese after leaving Inter as a free agent.
Sanchez's contract with the Serie A champions expired in July, and he has chosen to return to Udinese 13 years after leaving.
He initially joined I Bianconeri in 2006 but spent two seasons on loan back in South America before establishing himself in the first team.
The 35-year-old made 112 appearances in his first spell at Udinese, netting 21 goals and registering 20 assists.
He has since played for Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester United, winning nine trophies along the way, including LaLiga, Serie A and the Club World Cup.
Sanchez could make his first start in their Serie A opener against Bologna next Sunday.
Chelsea confirm £51.4m Pedro Neto deal
Chelsea have completed the signing of Pedro Neto from Wolves, with the Blues shelling out €60million (£51.4m) plus add-ons for the Portugal international.
Chelsea have been busy in the transfer market once again as they approach their first season under Enzo Maresca, with Neto becoming their ninth senior signing ahead of 2024-25.
The winger spent five seasons at Wolves after arriving from Braga in 2019, and 2023-24 was his most productive campaign yet as he tallied nine assists in 20 Premier League appearances.
However, two hamstring injuries limited him to just 1,518 minutes in the competition last term, and he has not made over 20 league appearances in a single season since 2020-21.
Neto will be hoping to remain fit this campaign as Chelsea set their sights on Champions League qualification, having finished a disappointing sixth under Mauricio Pochettino last term.
Neto's arrival was confirmed at half-time during Chelsea's final pre-season friendly versus Inter on Sunday, with the 24-year-old signing a seven-year contract before telling the club's website: "I feel really grateful to have joined this club.
"I have worked really hard in my career to be here and I'm looking forward to getting on the pitch with this shirt."
Neto could make his Chelsea debut against Premier League champions Manchester City on matchday one of the Premier League season next Sunday, before returning to Molineux for a swift reunion with Wolves one week later.
Neto's arrival is the most expensive sanctioned by the Todd Boehly regime this off-season, taking Chelsea's overall spend to an estimated £161m.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Filip Jorgensen, Omari Kellyman, Aaron Anselmino, Renato Veiga, Caleb Wiley, Marc Guiu and Tosin Adarabioyo have also joined ahead of 2024-25, with Ian Maatsen, Lewis Hall and Omari Hutchinson all being moved on for significant fees.
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