Arsenal fans are convinced they know who they will sign next after Chelsea secure deal for Pedro Neto

Arsenal fans are convinced they know who the club's next transfer target will be amid reports that they will miss out on the signing of Wolves star Pedro Neto.

RMC Sport reported on Friday that Neto was set to join Chelsea, having reached an agreement in principle with Wolves.

The Express and Star later claimed that the initial fee stood at £51 million, but that could rise to £54 million when bonuses are included. Wolves signed Neto from Lazio for £18 million in 2019.

The 24-year-old had been linked with a move to Arsenal this summer, with Mikel Arteta seeking competition for Bukayo Saka on the right side of attack.

The chase was never likely to be an easy one, with Liverpool and Manchester City both credited with an interest.

But Chelsea have beaten all three teams to the deal, with The Athletic reporting that Neto will undergo a medical at Cobham before finalising his move to Stamford Bridge.

It is a blow to Arteta, who has completed two permanent signings this summer in the form of goalkeeper David Raya - whose loan deal from Brentford was turned into a permanent one - and defender Riccardo Calafiori.

Now, Gunners fans have a theory on who Arsenal might go for next - Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk.

Chelsea beat Arsenal to the signing of Mudryk in January 2023, with Shakhtar Donetsk's president confirming the Blues submitted a stronger offer.

The Ukrainian signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge, but struggled for form during his first 12 months at the club.

Getty

He began to show glimpses of what he was capable of under Mauricio Pochettino towards the end of the campaign, but it remains to be seen whether yet another managerial change - and the signing of Neto - will stunt that progress.

One fan wrote on Twitter: "This is just a hunch, but I do wonder with Neto going to Chelsea, if we will go for Mudryk. Clearly is loved a lot at Arsenal, for how much we were willing to push the boat for him."

A second said: "Would be crazy if Arteta pushes for Arsenal to sign Mudryk on a reduced fee. You can feel it in the air."

And a third stated: "Arsenal should go for Mudryk at £30 million, nothing more. There is still a player there."