Chelsea are understood to have placed a valuation of up to $135.5 million (£100 million) on Pedro Neto as interest grows from Al Hilal. The Saudi club are now exploring the possibility of a deal, with formal discussions with Chelsea officials expected in the coming days.

The figure is already viewed as a major obstacle, including for Premier League rivals, but it now falls to Al Hilal to decide whether they are willing to submit an offer strong enough to shift Chelsea’s position. With only two weeks remaining in the transfer window, the timing adds another layer of difficulty to any potential agreement.

Neto remains one of the more debated figures in the Chelsea squad. Supporters have questioned the level of consistency in his game, yet his quality has been evident for some time, including during his spells with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Last season he started 30 of the 34 Premier League matches in which he was available, and he finished the campaign with 10 goals and 10 assists across league and cup competitions.

At 26, he is still regarded as an important member of the Chelsea group. His fitness record has improved, removing a concern that may have complicated such a move three years ago. He also has five years left on his contract, which means Chelsea are in no urgent need to sell.

The market for wingers has climbed sharply this summer, helped in part by Chelsea’s own dealings. The $157 million move for Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa has already shaped valuations elsewhere, while Yan Diomande’s $161.6 million switch to Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain’s interest in extracting more from Bradley Barcola’s situation have further raised the bar.

Neto is older than some of the names setting the pace at the top end of the market, but Chelsea still appear to see him as a valuable asset. Their price point sits below those blockbuster figures and reflects that status. Even so, if a substantial bid arrives, Chelsea would be sensible to at least consider it.

The summer chase for Crysencio Summerville has taken a sharp turn away from England. Manchester United and Chelsea were among the clubs linked with the Dutch winger, but Al Hilal have moved into pole position with what has been described as an agreement worth around $90 million.

The Athletic reported the deal, though a medical still has to be completed before an official announcement can follow. Corriere dello Sport’s Eleonora Trotta said Summerville has been offered a four-year contract, with annual pay in the region of $13.7-17.1 million. Roma had also shown interest, with a bid around $56 million threatening to complicate the picture, while their own offer was thought to be $4.6 million.

Summerville’s stock remains high despite West Ham United’s relegation. The Dutch international still delivered a strong individual return, finishing with seven goals and five assists. That output helped secure him a place in the Netherlands’ World Cup squad, where he contributed to four goals in four matches.

For Al Hilal, this would amount to a notable statement. The Saudi Pro League club have not spent this heavily on one player since they paid more than $100 million for Neymar Jr. in 2023. It is also another reminder of the division’s power in the market, where Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mané already feature among the headline names.

The move leaves Manchester United and Chelsea to reconsider their plans. United may already have a solution for the left wing, even if the hierarchy is not entirely convinced. After Marcus Rashford’s buyout clause expired, the academy graduate is set to return to Old Trafford, at least for preseason following his post-World Cup hiatus.

Rashford impressed during last season’s loan spell at Barcelona, but Hansi Flick preferred Anthony Gordon because of concerns over his work rate off the ball. Even so, United’s more reactive approach under the promoted interim coach could suit him, with less need to press high.

Mohamed Salah’s time at Liverpool is confirmed to be ending and questions are growing about where he will move next. Juventus’s sporting director Marco Ottolini moved to quash one persistent line of speculation, telling 365scores: “What is being circulated about negotiations to sign Mohamed Salah to Juventus is not true. At the moment, there is nothing regarding that.”

Ottolini also stressed there is not currently any contact between Juventus and Salah, though he did not rule out the possibility of future approaches. The comments make clear that any immediate shift to Juventus is unlikely, even if the club’s history of securing elite names on free transfers still attracts attention. The club has previously signed big names on free transfers, including Andrea Pirlo, Paul Pogba, Kingsley Coman, Sami Khedira, Emre Can and Adrien Rabiot.

That record of bargains sits against a sporting backdrop in which Juventus have not been genuine title contenders for several seasons, a reality that could lessen their appeal to an elite forward weighing his next move.

The strongest links for Salah centre on the Saudi Pro League. The competition has openly pursued Salah over recent seasons and came close last season before Liverpool secured an extension. With his contract situation changing, clubs such as Al Hilal and Al Qadsiah are expected to present offers that would include wages not typically available at European clubs.

Paris Saint-Germain have also been named among potential suitors, described as a surprise given their current emphasis on younger recruitment. There have been additional rumours of interest from Galatasaray in Türkiye. For now, Juventus insist there is nothing in the reports linking them to Salah, while Saudi and other European clubs remain the likeliest destinations as his Liverpool career draws to a close.