Manchester City could edge Arsenal in the race for talented winger with a special assurance

Manchester City have decided to give a unique set of assurances to Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Pedro Neto to ward off interest from rivals Arsenal as they look to sign him.

As per reports from journalist Steve Kay of Transfersdotcom, the Cityzens have promised Neto that he will be a first-team regular and that he will get ample game time should he make the switch.

The reports also add that Manchester City’s Portuguese pair Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias have been in touch with their compatriot to persuade him to move to the Etihad Stadium.

Manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly expressed his willingness to commit to giving Pedro Neto the amount of game time he wants, with visions of moving Phil Foden to a more central role next season. This could give the Cityzens the advantage over Arsenal, who cannot afford the same.

With Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka both nailed down as starters and both younger than Neto, it is unlikely Mikel Arteta will oust either from the starting XI for anyone, especially a player coming from another club. The Gunners’ inability to provide the Portuguese winger with anything apart from a rotational role behind Saka and Martinelli could prove to be a major stumbling block for them. The club will likely have to look elsewhere for signing a winger.

Pedro Neto joined Wolves from SC Braga in 2019 and has made 123 appearances for the senior team, scoring 12 and assisting 22 goals since then. This season, he has scored once and provided nine assists in 12 appearances, including one against Manchester City in a 2-1 win at home.

With nearly three years left on his current deal with Wolves, it will take a head-turning offer from either Arsenal or Manchester City to prise the player away.

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