Tottenham Pursue Chelsea's Pedro Neto in Attacking Overhaul

Tottenham’s response to a bruising start to the season is clear: double down on attack and keep swinging in the transfer market.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side were dismantled 3-0 by Brentford on the opening weekend of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign, a result that sharpened the focus on their forward options. Spurs are already deep into a major offensive rebuild, and now Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has emerged as a serious name on their list.

Spurs’ attacking overhaul

The North London club have been aggressive this summer. Deals are being finalised for Manchester City duo Savinho and Omar Marmoush as De Zerbi looks to inject pace, movement and goals into a frontline that misfired badly at Brentford.

That isn’t the end of it. Spurs remain in the market for at least one more attacker, with Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo a prominent target. The Dutch international fits the profile: versatile across the front line, proven at Premier League level, and capable of adding both goals and creativity.

The problem? Liverpool. It is far from certain that Spurs can strike an agreement with a direct rival this late in the window, and the uncertainty has forced the club to map out alternatives.

That’s where Pedro Neto comes in.

Neto on the radar – but at a price

According to Sky Sports, Neto is among the contingency options Spurs have identified if a move for Gakpo stalls. The 26-year-old is valued at around £100m by Chelsea, a figure that underlines both his importance and the current market for elite wide players.

Chelsea do not see Neto as an untouchable. He has not been actively pushed towards the exit, but the message from Stamford Bridge is clear: he is available for the right price.

That stance has already drawn interest from abroad. Al Hilal sounded out a potential move, only to step back when the cost became prohibitive. As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the Saudi Pro League club have now turned their attention to Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli instead.

For Spurs, the question is not just whether they can afford Neto, but whether Chelsea would even contemplate strengthening a London rival so late in the window.

Alonso’s Chelsea still taking shape

This is a very different Chelsea under Xabi Alonso. A new head coach, a flood of arrivals, and a squad still being trimmed and reshaped as the season begins.

Neto has become a symbol of that flexibility. With Alonso still working out his best XI, the Portuguese winger has been used across multiple roles – at wing-back and in advanced positions – as Chelsea test different systems and combinations. His versatility makes him valuable, and that only drives his price up.

Chelsea have already shown they are prepared to be firm in the market. A loan bid from AS Roma for Jamie Gittens has been rejected. Mykhailo Mudryk, back in action after the resolution of his doping case, is expected to leave on loan, with Leeds United among the clubs to have had an offer turned down as interest builds.

The pattern is obvious: Chelsea will move players on, but only on their terms.

A late-window power play?

So the stand-off begins. Spurs want another attacker. Neto is admired. The fee is huge. The selling club is a direct rival.

On top of that sits the player’s own view. Would Neto push to swap Stamford Bridge for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at this stage, knowing Chelsea’s depth gives him minutes across several roles under Alonso? Or would he see Spurs as a clearer route to being the focal point of an attack being rebuilt around him?

Chelsea, for their part, are braced for a frantic finish to the summer. Whatever happens with Neto, Gittens, Mudryk and others, the club expects a busy final stretch as they trim Alonso’s squad down for at least the first half of the season.

Spurs, stung by Brentford and under pressure to respond, now have a decision to make: pay Chelsea’s price for Neto, pivot to another name, or risk going into the heart of the campaign still one attacker short.