06 Jan 2024 12:04:59
There is currently lots of noise about Neto's future at Wolves with a growing acceptance that he will leave in the summer, normally with Arsenal as the destination.
What is less clear however is the "value" that Wolves will obtain.
I have heard figures ranging from £30m to £80m mentioned with outliers at £100m + {Note his injury record is often mentioned as the reason for the "low" figures}
For Wolves however the problem is though how do you replace him not just for the fee (whatever it is you receive) or the wages but in terms of players who will come to Wolves (geography and football status).
I therefore get to thinking who would be capable, (even if not willing), of replacing him 1 for 1 in the Wolves team.
Note many players might have similar or even better stats, (actually far fewer do if you include assists and not just goals where he is actually a bit "light"), but if those stats are achieved in more favourable circumstances are they as solid?
So restricting yourself to players who currently play in the Prem who are you confident could come in and do a similar job for Wolves.
Once you have your list, (I assume you have a v short one), think what those players' clubs would demand for their man and that is what Wolves need to receive for Neto!
That outlier doesn't look so silly now does it!

{Ed002's Note - Pedro Neto (RW/LW) Versatile and looking to move on. Agent has been approached by Manchester United, who will need an Antony replacement, and Arsenal. It is unclear why Wolves are so kee and they clearly have other priorities, but they are. Juventus fear losing young left-footed RW in Matias Soule and may look to Neto. May be wanted in the Middle East which would push his value up. I would expect Wolves to as perhaps £50M for him.}

1.) 06 Jan 2024
06 Jan 2024 12:48:30
I recent interview I heard by a Football finance expert was that Arsenal, Villa, Newcastle, Forest and Palace were all in danger of breaching FFP as they have spent big money on new players but not received as much for outgoing players. Arsenal have spent big on White, Partey, Rice, Odegaard and Jorginho in the latest FFP cycle and this is why they could only sign Raya on loan. If the sign Toney for £100m as well as Raya for £45m, then they will have to move some players on to facilitate any move for Neto.

We were linked with a young Portugese winger last week. Maybe he is the replacement for Neto. It is all guesswork at the moment but the good news is that we looked good recently when Neto was available so maybe GON is happy for him to move on for a big fee so that he can add more depth to the squad.

2.) 06 Jan 2024
06 Jan 2024 16:07:19
Ed 002 and Jas thank you for two sensible responses. Jas you make valid points re Arsenal and depth - although not sure depth is easy to get right.
Given how hard I believe it will be to replace him (see below) and the fact that our FFP problens are now largely under control - still think we will need to be sensible this Jan but hopefully there will be a little wriggle room in the summer even without a major sale - I am as Ed 002 says unsure why Wolves are seemingly "keen" or even willing to countenance a sale?

I was hoping for a list of names from you guys of Premiership players who could replace him. Maybe you think he is irreplaceable? However, to encourage you, I will kick off.

I went through the mids on Fantasy football and identified those whose points per min were in line with Neto (ok not a perfect comparison but at least not subjective) and then eliminated those that played in a more central or defensive role but who, perhaps because they take pens, are up there. I then also eliminated the big team's players Salah, Son, Saka, Gordon, Doku, Foden etc.

This left:
Bowen and Kudus at WH, Olise and Eze at CP, Elanga at Forest, Mitoma at Brighton, Mbuemo at Brentford or Bailey or Diaby at Villa. How many of these can you realistically see coming to Wolves - maybe Elanga, (who I actually suggested as a Fabio option when United bought him for pennies a few years ago), but probably a round number?

Also, admittedly with my biased eye, I only really would want Bowen or Mitoma on a 1 for 1 basis, i.e. I would want to have cash left over aFter signing any of the others?
Thoughts or alternatives?

3.) 06 Jan 2024
06 Jan 2024 18:36:59
Neto is unique as his runs direct and defenders and the quality of ball at the is normally up there.
Although some of these players have been in good form.
I would say Neto is similar to Jota before he left in that he is one of if not the best of the rest. And he would make a difference at a big side.
So for that reason I think he is worth more than £50m the others would be sold for £70m+.Why not Neto?
In terms of replacements it's tricky as the club have tried to bring in numerous players over the past 6 years.
When we played Chelsea they had Badiashiale and Madeuke who would have developed like Neves, Jota and Neto much better than they will at Chelsea.
But. Selling Wolverhampton a sthe place to play is hard.

4.) 06 Jan 2024
06 Jan 2024 18:51:26
For me, if Neto does go, we don't need to rush out and replace him. Bellegarde and Hwang can play either side and we have Gonzalez currently adapting to English football and so he should be ready soon. Some players I would like and think can be a success with us are Dwight McNeil, Dwight McNeil and Jack Harrison.

5.) 06 Jan 2024
06 Jan 2024 22:53:00
Madman - v good post
Jas Dwight Mcneil is a v good shout. However Jas I think Neto is a class above both the 2 Wolves players you mention, even Hwang in his undeniably purple patch, so whilst I agree they could play in those areas - in fact have done - I'm not sure that it wouldn't be a drop off in quality for Wolves
The mention of Chelsea does though show how hard it is to put a cash price on it - they paid over £80m for Mudryk (sp) who is not even in the same postal district as Neto - but others, like Mitoma, were signed for pennies, allegedly £3m in Mitoma's case, albeit before he was established in the Prem like Neto is?
For me Wolves won't be able to replace him 1 or 1 so as Jas says we will need to do a deal or two to add depth. However that comes fraught with difficulty.
For every good deal there are numerous bad ones and once you sell Neto you can't go back.
Ask Southampton they sold Shearer to add depth and got Speedie and Dixon seemingly a great idea 2 top players for one - but Shearer goes onto be a legend and the other 2 disappear without trace. Closer to home look how we spent the Robbie Keane money - badly! Or more recently the Jota money!
If at all possible I wouldn't sell but look to build the team around him, Cunha, Lemina and Gomes.
I believe that we are on the right road and that we don't need revolution just slow evolution.
Only Dawson needs replacing in the short term and our growth therefore can be from a position of some strength?

6.) 07 Jan 2024
07 Jan 2024 17:10:10
I forgot Man U bought Anthony for over £80m as well. So 2 players not fit to lace Neto's boots bought for over £80m each?

7.) 09 Jan 2024
09 Jan 2024 07:01:09
If Neto played for Brighton or Brentford he would be worth £100m so why are Wolves players always undervalued. Even if the mentioned teams overvalue their players, they still get it!

8.) 09 Jan 2024
09 Jan 2024 09:34:13
Adeee - hard to argue. Neves "only" fetched £40m from Saudi but after a few months evidence he looks a far better bet than Enzo or Caicedo (sp) at Chelsea both of whom cost over £100m. Having said that Rice who looks better than all 3 again went for just over £100m
Maybe we over rate our players or maybe we missed a trick in not engaging Chelsea or Man United who seem to be the outliers in overpaying?