Since Fosun took over Wolves, they’ve had a particular transfer strategy up their sleeves.
The general method has been to sign players at a young age and develop them for the future. Very rarely do the Molineux outfit bring in fresh faces who are in the twilight of their careers.
Joao Moutinho has been a rare exception but he’s been surrounded by younger talents like Ruben Neves and Adama Traore.
They have seen their values rise since signing for Wolves but arguably, none have been more explosive than Pedro Neto.
The 21-year-old was far from a marquee addition when he signed from Lazio for £16m. However, he has proven particularly this season that he’s an exceptional young talent.
Wolves have struggled on the goal front this term, especially with Raul Jimenez out injured since November. Fabio Silva has scored just twice while the enigmatic Willian Jose is yet to find the net following his arrival.
Neto, however, has taken on the mantle brilliantly. He is their joint top scorer on five goals and he’s provided the most assists for his teammates in 2020/21; also five.
Without him, they may well be battling for relegation. The youngster tops pretty much every attacking rank for Wolves this term. He’s had 104 touches in the penalty area, created 57 chances, had 56 shots, and made 38 passes into the penalty area; all team highs.
It’s unsurprising, therefore, that he’s now the centre of interest from elsewhere. Manchester United have been linked with a summer move for the Portuguese, news that will come as a bitter blow after losing Diogo Jota last summer.
In the process, his value has risen astronomically. Having initially signed for around £16m, his transfer rating via Transfermarkt is a considerable £31.5m. That's up from £6.3m in the summer of 2019.
At this moment in time, he is one of the most devastating young players in the Premier League, a player blessed with enormous pace, trickery and a beautiful left foot. He can cause danger to even the most impressive top-flight centre-backs.
He also has the potential to be one of the best on the planet, that’s the word of Jamie Redknapp anyway. Speaking earlier this term he said: “I think he [Neto] is going to be a world star."
Redknapp added: “He is sensational on the ball, he has got a real presence and size when he moves with the ball, he loves to face people up, go one-on-one, go either way as well – such a talent, he really is.”
With Jimenez absent, Neto has shouldered the responsibility of being Nuno Santo’s star man. He is quickly becoming one of the most feared in the Premier League and as his value now tells us, he is going to be extremely expensive to prise away from Molineux.