Wolverhampton Wanderers' decision to sign Pedro Neto from Lazio in 2019 has proven to be a masterclass as he is now valued at significantly more than the Old Gold paid to sign him.

The Portuguese winger joined alongside Bruno Jordao from Lazio in a deal worth £18m and has established himself as a key player at Molineux in the three years since.

While it is unclear how much Wolves chairman Jeff Shi paid for each player, Transfermarkt suggests the fee was around £16m, which has proven to be a bargain fee when you consider his impact in Wolves' first team as such a young player.

Despite spending much of last season out injured, the 22-year-old was highly sought after in the summer transfer window, with Arsenal reportedly keen on signing him, although Wolves' £50m asking price proved to be too much for the Gunners' liking.

This £50m valuation suggests that he is now valued at more than three times the fee Thelwell paid Lazio in 2019, which represents superb business for the club.

During his time at Molineux, Neto has contributed 11 goals and 12 assists in 99 appearances, with the young winger likely to join the 100 club when Wolves take on Manchester City at the weekend.

It has been a disappointing start to the new season for Neto, with no goals or assists in the opening six fixtures, as the former Lazio man is yet to rediscover the form that made him so talked about in the 2020/21 campaign.

Neto would hit five goals and six assists in the top-flight, with WhoScored awarding him an impressive 7.11 average rating for his performances but a serious knee injury saw him miss 10 months of action and he is yet to get back to his best.

During the 2020/21 campaign, the youngster earned a lot of praise from Alan Shearer after his match-winning performance against Southampton.

He said:

“A huge talent who is having a fine season. He changed the game and scored a great goal.”

Regardless of Neto's form this season, Wolves' £50m valuation of a player they signed for less than £20m just three years ago represents superb business by former sporting director Kevin Thelwell.