New Chelsea star was ‘in tears all morning at the training ground’ and ‘didn’t want to leave’ after £54million transfer
PEDRO NETO was heartbroken as he bid a tearful farewell to Wolves on the eve of his £54million move to Chelsea.
Wanderers sporting director Matt Hobbs revealed the winger, 24, shed buckets of tears as he said his goodbyes on Friday after five years at Molineux.
GettyPedro Neto unveiled as Chelsea’s newest signing[/caption]
Hobbs confessed: “As hard as it was for us, I think it was probably harder for Pedro. Tears all morning at the training ground.
“I don’t think Pedro wanted to leave Wolverhampton Wanderers and I’ve spoken to him since and he’ll always love the club.
“It’s a hard one to talk about because I was really close to Pedro and he was such a good person to have around the training ground.
“Everyone knows the player he is — he’s a world-class winger who has been so unlucky with injuries.
“It was a tough one but it felt fair because of what Pedro had been through, with the various injuries and it’s a great opportunity for him.
“The deal is one that works for us and for Pedro but by no means does it make it any easier.”
Neto’s switch to Stamford Bridge takes the London club’s total spend on players since the Todd Boehly-led consortium paid £4.25billion for the club in May 2022 to a massive £1.238bn.
And Wolves are now flush with cash, so boss Gary O’Neil can invest in new talent.
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The club have banked £91m from the sales of Neto — who is off for £51m up front — and 27-year-old defender Max Kilman, who joined West Ham for £40m last month.
Despite the tears, Hobbs consoled himself with the knowledge Portugal international Neto deserves to play on a bigger stage — with Blues unveiling him yesterday.
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Chelsea are eyeing up a shock move for Joao Felix after Samu Omorodion’s move to Stamford Bridge collapsed.
In other news, Saudi Pro League clubs are interested in Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
Elsewhere, Martin Zubimendi is a target of Liverpool’s this summer, and the Reds could decide to trigger his £53million release clause soon, according to reports.
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Chelsea finished sixth last season and face a two-legged play-off to make the new league stage of the Uefa Conference League.
Hobbs added: “Whilst it’s disappointing for us, because everyone wants world-class players, timing wise, it felt right.
“Pedro gets to go and compete in European football — Chelsea, with the amount of money they spend, have to be under pressure for titles and Champions League football.
“So, he’ll get that opportunity but nobody should think this was easy for him. It was right for everyone but also really upsetting for everyone.
“It’s hard when it’s someone everyone has so much affinity for as a person to look at it as a business.
“But football is a business and it was the right deal, so from that perspective, the club is happy.”
Neto had an emotional exit from Wolves
