New manager Xabi Alonso prefers to generate width through his full-backs rather than traditional wingers, deploying wide forwards who cut inside to find space between the lines — a tactical shift that has left orthodox wide players such as Neto with a less defined role, according to football.london.
Manchester City are among the four Premier League clubs showing concrete interest, sources say, with the Etihad club reportedly preparing an offer in the region of €81m. Former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, now in charge at City, worked closely with the 26-year-old in west London and remains a significant admirer.
Chelsea have not placed Neto on their list of players for sale and insist he remains part of Alonso's plans, though a significant offer could change that calculus given the inflated market for wingers this summer.
Real Madrid's roughly £120m deal for Yan Diomande and Paris Saint-Germain's demands for Bradley Barcola, who continues to be linked with Liverpool, illustrate the going rate.
Neto arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2024 for £51.4m from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a seven-year contract and made 52 appearances last season, contributing 10 goals and 10 assists while operating on both flanks under three different head coaches.
City's interest is also tied to the future of their own winger, Savinho, who is expected to depart before next month's deadline, with Tottenham currently the front-runners for his signature; City could accelerate their pursuit of Neto once that situation resolves.
Chelsea are working towards a settled squad before Alonso's tenure begins away at Fulham on August 24, and Neto remains expected to be part of the travelling party for that opener. Fabrizio Romano has reported that Chelsea have not put Neto up for sale and are more than happy to keep him unless a major proposal materialises, a stance that suggests any deal would need to significantly better Chelsea's original outlay.
Should he leave before the window shuts, Chelsea retain considerable cover across both flanks in Jamie Gittens, Mykhailo Mudryk, Estêvão Willian, Geovany Quenda, Dastan Satpayev and Cole Palmer.