With the imminent departure of Portuguese superstar Pedro Neto to fellow Premier League club Chelsea, Gary O’Neil’s side have turned their attention to possible replacements. As stated by Fabrizio Romano, Carlos Forbs is heavily linked to the club and is on their shortlist for a Neto replacement.
Wolves Target ‘Promising’ Neto Replacement in Carlos Forbs
Carlos Forbs on Wolves Shortlist
Due to the result of the shockingly quick move away of Pedro Neto to Chelsea earlier today, O’Neil’s side have turned their attention to a replacement just eight days before their season kicks off away to Arsenal. As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Carlos Forbs, who has been admired by the club previously, has been placed “on Wolverhampton’s shortlist” as they start exploring options in case of Neto’s exit.
Forbs played 35 matches for Ajax last season, scoring three times, including once in the UEFA Europa League. If the deal is to be agreed, it will also mutually benefit Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who have a 20% sell-on clause included in the player’s contract. Despite starting 35 matches in all competitions for Ajax last season, this was the “promising” winger’s first season outside of academy football.
Read more: Chelsea Set To Complete Shock Transfer For ‘Dangerous Player’
Evidently, due to the Citizens release clause, Forbs played for Manchester City’s academy from August 2019 until his permanent transfer to the Amsterdam-based side last August. In doing so, he made 81 appearances for the Citizens’ academy, scoring 55 times. This includes eleven goals in eight U18 Premier League appearances in the 2021/22 season. On top of this, Forbs recorded 25 goals in 27 appearances the following season, including four goals in three starts in the EFL Trophy. Due to this, Forbs has played 14 times for Portugal at youth level, scoring twice.
Ins and Outs at Molineux
O’Neils’ side accepted a bid around the £54 million mark including add-ons of around £3 million for Neto. The 24-year-old right-winger made 24 appearances for Wolves last season, including 20 Premier League appearances, finding the back of the net on two occasions against Manchester United and Luton Town.
Neto has been a promising player for Wolves, albeit injuries have significantly hindered his time at Molineux. Last season, the winger had two thigh injuries ruling him out for eight matches, and a knee injury against Fulham in early March, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season, missing twelve games in total.
Read more: Arsenal Open Talks To Sign Goalkeeper With ‘Great Character’
The Wolverhampton-based club have so far signed four players, with Forbs widely anticipated to be their fifth. Central-midfielder Tommy Doyle was signed from Manchester City for £4.3 million after his season on loan. Right-midfielder Rodrigo Gomes was signed from Portuguese club SC Braga on a 5-year deal with a one-year extension for £12.7 million.
Moreover, alongside Pedro Lima, who joined the club from Sport Recife in Brazil’s second division, Norwegian centre-forward Jørgen Strand Larsen joins on loan for around £3 million from Celta Vigo. This comes after the departure of club captain Max Kilman, who joins West Ham.
